Norma June Newmeister

Norma June Newmeister

Cedar Rapids

Norma June Newmeister, 98, passed away peacefully on Aug. 20, 2023. The daughter of Vern and Minnie Pagel, Norma was born and raised in Tama, Iowa. She was a 1942 graduate of Tama High School and remained in Tama working as the payroll clerk for Central Fiber Products Co.

Norma moved to Cedar Rapids in 1944 and was secretary for a supervisor and subsequently for the Controller of the Collins Radio Company from 1944 until 1947. She met her future husband Lumir at a ballroom. After his service to our country on the USS Arkansas, Lumir returned to Cedar Rapids and married Norma on April 28, 1946.

Norma left her employment and became a full-time home builder and homemaker. She and Lumir purchased a lot in the country, now 30th Street NE, and stick built the home they would reside in for 68 years. In 2016, Norma and Lumir moved to Meth-wick Manor which she found to be a blessing for her remaining years.

As with many parents of her generation, she devoted most of her energies to raising her 3 sons. She was active in the PTA associations at Garfield Elementary, Franklin Junior High School and Washington High School. She also was very involved with the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts for all three sons. She was a member of the Kenwood United Methodist Church.

Norma's joy and passion was in service to others. For 40 years she volunteered at St. Luke's Hospital, accumulating over 10,000 hours of service. She received from the hospital their Lifetime Dedication to Volunteerism Award. She was a lifetime member of the St. Luke's Auxiliary, serving on the Board of Directors where she was twice secretary. As a legacy gift to the hospital, she and Lumir initiated the St. Luke's Foundation's Photo Gallery Art Project. She also established the Norma Newmeister Scholarship Fund to assist nurses in pursuing non-clinical degrees. Based primarily on her service to St. Luke's, in 2011 Governor Terry Branstad presented Norma with the Governor's Volunteer Award.

With her passion for our environment, Norma dedicated much time and energy to the Indian Creek Nature Center. She was active in their Guild for over 40 years. She and Lumir enthusiastically donated financial resources to the Nature Center for what is now known as the Newmeister Family Library and Bird Room.

One of Norma's true loves was her membership with the Preceptor Lambda – Beta Sigma Phi Chapter for over 40 years. She served as president and Secretary twice on the Council of Marion/Cedar Rapids Beta Sigma Phi.

Norma was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years; and her brother, Verne Pagel.

She is survived by her three sons, John (Marcia) of Tulsa, Okla., Michael (Gayla) of Sturgeon Bay, Wis., and Jeffrey (Becky) of Eldridge, Iowa. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Joy Flanagan (Sean), Julie Newman (Joe), Troy (Amanda) and Nate (Katherine) Newmeister, Shea Taulbee (Nic) and Chelsea Liske (Kurt); and eight great-grandchildren.

Norma was never one to let the grass grow below her feet. She took much pleasure in traveling to all 50 states, 10 Canadian Provinces and two European adventures. She slept on the ground many nights on the Mississippi River and campgrounds spread across our great land. She was a consummate cook, leaning toward the sweet side of the palette. She was a sewer, a knitter, a puzzler and a great conversationalist.

A visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.

Please consider honoring her legacy with a donation to the loves of her life, the St. Luke's Foundation or the Indian Creek Nature Center.