Gloria 'Jeannie' Norden

GLORIA JEAN “JEANNIE" NORDEN

Cedar Rapids

Gloria Jean "Jeannie" Norden, 71, of Cedar Rapids, passed away Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, at home after a long illness. Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11, at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories Stateroom. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

Survivors include her husband of 53 years, Alan Norden of Cedar Rapids; sons, Todd (Bretta) Norden of Mesa, Ariz., and Trent (Melanie) Norden of Cedar Rapids; grandsons, Gabriel, Trent Jr. and Ethan; brothers, Henry (Gladys) Opfer and Glenn (Chun Cha) Opfer; along with several nephews and a niece.

Jeannie was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Terri Masciello; in-laws, Alfred and Vivian Norden; sisters-in-law, Cindy Norden and Debi Mahoney; and a niece, Erika Hertzler.

Gloria Jean Norden was born Aug. 21, 1950, to parents, Darrell and Phyllis Opfer, in Storm Lake, Iowa. Jeannie's family moved to Cedar Rapids in 1959. Jeannie attended Cedar Rapids Jefferson for her sophomore and junior years, then graduated from Kennedy High School in 1968, but always considered herself a "J-Hawk." Jeannie met the love of her life, Alan, at Danceland in 1966. After graduation, she married Alan at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids on Feb. 22, 1969. They were blessed with two sons, Todd and Trent. Jeannie was a homemaker for the first 15 years, as a doting mother she spoiled her family putting the needs of her husband and sons first. She worked in the Jefferson High School cafeteria for 10 years until she was forced to retire due the diagnosis of mixed connective tissue disease. Jeannie spent the next 31 years battling all that came her way. She was a true warrior, never letting the disease define her.

Jeannie was very creative and loved her hobbies, that included card-making, flower gardening, traveling with Alan, especially many trips to Southern California. She will always be remembered as a strong and loving wife and mother. Jeannie and her husband were inseparable, along with being best friends and lovers. They did everything together, collaborating on many hobbies, which included home improvements, cooking, baking, crafts and listening to her favorite music.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to Mercy Hospice in Hiawatha, Iowa, Iowa Donor Network or the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Rheumatology.

With a special thanks to Dr Scott Vogelgesang.

Online condolences and messages may be shared with the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.