Norma Jean Glass, a radiant soul known for her fluency in sarcasm and zest for life, passed away on November 13, 2024, at her home in Lansing, Iowa. Born in Postville to Gregory and Esther (Murray) Zweibohmer, Norma was nurtured in the warmth of St. Francis de Sales Catholic School in Ossian, where she was baptized and confirmed. Her spirited youth was spent in the classrooms of De Sales School and later at South Winn High School in Calmar, where she graduated.
Her journey led her to Capri College in Cedar Rapids, where she discovered her calling in massage therapy, a profession she cherished for the joy and relief it brought others.
On July 20, 1985, Norma married Robert Glass in Ossian, Iowa, and together they welcomed four wonderful children into their lives: Samantha, Jaimie Lea, Alexandria, and Zackary. Though Norma and Robert’s paths diverged, the love for her children remained her guiding star.
Norma’s life was a tapestry of vibrant experiences and connections. She thrived in her role as a community assistant at Full Circle Services in Oelwein and later as an environmental technician at Gundersen Palmer Hospital in West Union. Her relocation to Lansing alongside her daughter, Alexandria, opened a new chapter filled with precious moments, even as she received diligent care for her cancer in LaCrosse, Wisconsin.
A lover of adventure, Norma’s heart was always captured by the rugged beauty of the world—most recently, she visited Ireland and Scotland in May 2024. Her passions were simple yet profound: spending hours by the pool table with friends, savoring the outdoors, fishing on quiet afternoons, and indulging in her beloved ice cream and whiskey. Above all, her laughter was a melody that brought joy to every gathering. Norma’s fur babies, and what she considered her “grand-furbabies”, were also her constant companions, sharing in her love for life’s simple pleasures.
Norma leaves behind her beloved children, Samantha in Decorah, Jaimie Lea in Sherwood, Oregon, Alexandria in Lansing, and Zackary in West Union. She is also survived by her siblings: Louise Heying of Ossian, Patti Larson of Ionia, Larry (Connie) Zweibohmer of Charlotte, North Carolina, David Zweibohmer of Cresco, and sisters-in-law Mary Lou and Carol Zweibohmer.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Greg and Esther Zweibohmer, and her siblings Catherine Zweibohmer (infancy), Greg Zweibohmer, Jim Zweibohmer, and Lois Meinert.
Norma Jean Glass was more than a list of accomplishments or roles; she was the laughter in the room, the comfort in a hug, and the spirit in every adventure. Her memory will continue to inspire and uplift all who knew her. Her light will shine on through the lives she touched and the stories she left behind.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Norma’s oncology and palliative care team at Gundersen Lutheran in La Crosse, who not only provided exceptional medical care but also shared moments of laughter and light-heartedness with her, making her battle against cancer a little less daunting.
There will be a celebration of Norma’s life on Saturday, November 30, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Rustic Chic Event Center in West Union – (24161 Lincoln Rd. West Union, IA, 52175)
Schmitz-Grau Funeral Home, Ossian, Iowa is helping the family with the arrangements.