Norma Jean Blake passed away on November 19, 2022 at the age of 94. She was a long time resident of Bettendorf, IA. Funeral services will be held at Weerts Funeral Home on Tuesday November 22, 2022 at 5pm. Visitation will be from 4 to 5pm. Interment will be in Davenport Memorial Park on Wednesday. Memorials may be made to Clarissa Cook Hospice and The Fountains Senior Living. Online condolences may be left at www.weertsfh.com.
Norma affectionately known as (Normie) was born to Theodore (Ted) and Irma (Brenneman) Stuart in Lucas County, Chariton, IA.
Norma was united in marriage to Jack R. Blake, the love of her life, in Russell, Iowa on April 4, 1947 after he returned from Europe after serving in the Army during WWII. They were married for 71 years before Jack passed in 2018, leaving her with a broken heart. Jack and Norma were blessed with the births of four healthy children. She was a very gifted and loving mother who provided love and care to all of them.
At age 33, she began a career while living in Cedar Rapids as a sales clerk at SS Kresge in 1961. In 1962, Jack was transferred to Davenport where she continued her career with Kresge as an assistant manager in Davenport and the Moline K Mart store. She retired in 1990 after 29 ½ years of service with the company.
After retirement Norm and Jack traveled often in their motor home. They’d make trips to see their children in Texas and North Carolina, also made two trips to Europe in the 1990’s. She loved her role dearly being a wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed her “night out on the town” with her husband. She loved to dance to big band music and Frank Sinatra songs. She was the “life of the party” anywhere she would go.
Normie will be missed dearly by her children: Jan (Clifton “Corky”) Cathcart, Karilyn (Mark) Wood, Randy (Debbie) Blake, and Jeanne (Dave) Johnson; grandchildren: Mindy Shockley, Kristie Tyer, Tony Cathcart, Ryan Blake, A.J. Blake, Shannon Brown, Matt Wood, Rob Wood, Brittany Herrin, Natalee Scott, and Haley Steckel; and 30 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents Ted and Irma and her husband Jack R. Blake.