Norma L VandenBerg

March 20, 1939 - March 4, 2019

Norma VandenBerg, age 79, born March 20, 1939, passed away on March 4, 2019, at Mercy Hospice – Johnston. A celebration of Norma’s life will be held Friday, March 8, 2:00 p.m., at New Hope United Methodist Church, 4525 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines, IA. Visitation will be at the church one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at McDivitt Grove Cemetery, Meridith Drive at 70th Street in Urbandale. Norma Lou VandenBerg was born March 20, 1939, on a farm near Lovilia, IA. She was the daughter of Cornelius (Neal) and Hilda (VerSteegh) VandenBerg, who preceded her in death. After graduating from Lovilia High School, Norma took a job at Banker’s Life Insurance Co. in Des Moines. For 30+ years, she worked for MIC/GMAC (General Motors) as an executive secretary, retiring in 1993. Norma later was employed part-time at H & R Block, Glen Oaks Country Club, and Barker Lemar. Leisure time for Norma was spent caring for her pets, flower and heirloom tomato gardening, cooking, traveling, photography, watching the University of Iowa football and basketball games, watching the Drake women’s basketball games, going to craft shows, and playing cards with her friends. She currently was a member of New Hope United Methodist Church. Norm had been active in Phi Tau Omega, a philanthropic sorority, in earlier years. Left to cherish her memory, are her sister, Betty Weldon, husband Bill, and their children: children of deceased sister and brother-in-law Nellie and Ben Veenstra; children of deceased brother, Gerald (Jud) and his wife Marilyn; children of deceased sister and brother-in-law, Gladys and Orville Sarsfield; children of deceased sister and brother-in-law, Josephine (Jose) and John Courtney; her pets, Sophie, Millie, Annie, Beauty, Gypsy, and Aussie; and her many friends. Memorial contributions in Norma’s name may be directed to New Hope United Methodist Church, 4525 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50310, the Animal Rescue League, 5452 NE 22nd Street, Des Moines, IA 50313, and/or Mercy Hospice – Johnston, 5820 Winwood Drive, Johnston, IA 50131.