Norma Lee Smith was born June 18, 1929, in Oskaloosa, IA, to Harry and Ella Mae (Dearinger) Lincoln. She grew up in Grinnell, IA before moving to the Marshalltown area. She attended and graduated from Marshalltown High School in 1947.

On January 17, 1948, Norma was united in marriage to Jack Vernon Smith. Together, they built a life and shared 65 years of marriage until his passing in 2013.

Norma was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She will be remembered most for her deep love of family, her sense of humor, and the joy she brought to everyday moments.

In her younger years, Norma worked as a CNA providing in-home care, a role that reflected her compassion and desire to help others. She had a special love for aquatics and found happiness working at the Apgar Pool as a teen. Throughout her life, she continued that love of water by attending aquatic classes at the YMCA, something she truly enjoyed well into her 80’s.

Norma worked as a checker at the Piggly Wiggly grocery store and then spent many years as the bookkeeper at Hy-Vee Drug Town until she retired. In every role, she was known for her kindness and friendly presence. Norma was also a member of the Railroad Auxiliary Club and the American Legion.

Her greatest joy in life was raising her children, Judy, Terry, and John. She poured her love, time, and energy into her family, creating a strong foundation and countless memories. She was also a proud and supportive grandmother, attending and encouraging her grandchildren in their many activities. She had a competitive spirit, which was passed down to her grandchildren adding a fun energy to those moments. In the past year, she found special joy in having tea parties with her great-great-granddaughters.

Norma cherished her family. She was the keeper of stories, the one you could call for answers about family history, and someone who could turn even the smallest memory into a story filled with laughter. Her sense of humor and her ability to connect generations will be deeply missed.

She leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and memories that will be carried on by all who knew her.

Norma will be dearly missed and forever remembered.

Norma will be missed by her children; Judy ( Larry) O’Neal and Terry (Becky) Smith, grandchildren; Angie (Mike) Lovell, Ryan (Jen) O’Neal, Jennifer (Mike) Price, Emily (Brian) Andersen, and Joseph Smith, great-grandchildren; Lexie (Lucas) Santefort, Hunter (Sammi) Riedl, Lauren O’Neal, Nicholas (Hannah) Price, Katie Price (Kysen Terukina), Madalyn, Lindsay, and Brooke Andersen, and great-great-grandchildren; Lydia and Leia Santefort. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Jack, and her son, John W. Smith.