Norma Jean Simonson

Norma Jean Simonson, 82, of St. Libory, died Thursday, May 8, 2014, at the Howard County Medical Center in St. Paul. Services will at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Zion Lutheran Church in Worms. The Rev. Craig K. Niemeier will officiate. Burial will be in the Norwegian Cemetery northwest of Worms. Visitation will be Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Zion Lutheran Gymnasium. Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is in charge of the arrangements. Mrs. Simonson was born on Nov. 1, 1931, on a farm in rural Howard County, near St. Libory, the daughter of Albert Jacob and Milda Amelia (Dickman) Shipman. She was united in marriage to John M. Simonson on August 21, 1949, at Zion Lutheran Church in Worms. He preceded her in death on Nov. 22, 1994. She is survived by four daughters and three sons-in-law, Sandy and Bob Davis of St. Libory, Sally and Don Lippstreu of Holdrege, Stephanie Bader of Grand Island and Stacie and Phil Van Bibber of Grand Island; and one son and daughter-in-law, Jerry and Barb Simonson of St. Libory. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Rose Thede of St. Paul and May Mettenbrink of Grand Island; and a special cousin that was more like a sister, Shirley Peters of St. Libory. Norma Jean was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church and attended Zion Lutheran School. She and John lived and farmed north of Worms and after his death she continued to live on the farm for the rest of her life. She was a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church. Norma Jean loved her children and grandchildren and enjoyed gardening and Sunday family dinners. In addition to her husband, John, she was preceded in death by her parents and an infant brother. Norma Jean's wishes were that in lieu of flowers and plants, that memorials be given to Zion Lutheran Church and School or Heartland Lutheran High School.