Norma Jean (Gerling) Hansel

Brought at last to the Joy of Life Everlasting, her family offers a recollection of life and faith. Norma Jean lived her life with grace and thanksgiving for all that the Lord bestowed upon her.

As presented by Norma Jean:

Born on a hot summer day on July 25, 1929 just three months before the great stock market crash to Martin Casper Gerling and wife Dorothy (Schuler) Gerling. They predeceased her in death in December of 1963,

Baptized and confirmed in the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Carrollton, Missouri where she met and later married Perry Lee Hansel in the summer of her eighteenth birthday. They had 57 years together before his death in 2004.

They were blessed with three children. A premature daughter, Linda Sue who lived eight days before her eternal rest. Four years later, they welcomed their only son, Steven Lee. He resides in Minooka, Illinois. Seven years later, a special daughter, Janean Lea was born. She also resides in Minooka.

Norma Jean had two siblings both of whom predeceased her. Her brother, Martin Edward, died in 2007 and her sister, Dorothy Sue Johnson, who passed in 2015.

As presented by her children:

Norma Jean graduated Carrollton High School with excellent commendations and an award for her typing as one of two state champions in her senior year. Years later after moving with her husband and children to Illinois, she graduated from the Northwest Illinois Computer College. She spent 15 years running payroll for Hornsby's stores from the main office in Morris, Illinois. She was known for her attention to detail, impeccable work ethic and her caring, helpful manner. It was there she met two very special friends, GeorgeAnn Harrington and Christine Fosen.

An avid traveler, Norma Jean could find her way around any map and always steered us to the road less traveled for an unforgettable outing. She made a point to visit all capital cities and tour each capital building early in her travels. Finding each state's covered bridges became favorite adventures too. She looked forward to boating trips with her family in Minocqua, Wisconsin. Little impressed her more however, than the first time she saw the ruins of the coliseum lit up in the night sky in Rome, Italy and the ancient remains of the terra cotta soldiers in Xian, China.

In her eighties, jigsaw puzzles were a favorite past time. A project called "Jean's Jigsaws" began and she travelled around to donate jigsaw puzzles to senior housing facilities to share the fun with others.

We have found great joy in knowing our Mother as the patient, kindhearted, and loving person she always was to us and others. She spent her life in support of ours. When her nineties brought illness, we gladly dedicated our time caring for her in her home and reminding her that she is forever more, beloved.

Her nieces and nephews knew her to be gracious and supportive. Some family and friends knew her as the Peacekeeper. Her sister affectionately called her "One of a Kind." When she stood up in front of hundreds of cancer survivors at a medical convention, our quiet lady spoke loudly about surviving a deadly disease and inspired hope in others. As she often did throughout her life, she praised God and to Him gave all the glory. There is never time enough to spend with those we love. On July 2, 2023 her wings were ready but our hearts were not.

A private funeral service with Pastor David Totsky was held at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Joliet, IL. Interment followed at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Joliet.

Memorials in Norma Jean's name may be directed to St. Peter Lutheran Church Radio Fund at 310 North Broadway in Joliet, IL 60435.

Rooted in Love, Always in our Hearts