Obituary for Norma Jennings (Wolfe)
Mrs. Norma Jean Wolfe Jennings, age 85, of Jefferson City, Mo. passed away Sunday, August 23, 2020 at St. Joseph’s Bluffs following a long-term illness.
Norma, the oldest of seven children, was raised on a farm near Linn in rural Osage County. She enjoyed the country life of fresh garden vegetables, fried chicken on Sunday and the joy of old-time country music at family gatherings.
Norma was born on November 22, 1934 in Linn, Mo., the daughter of Ernie and Mable (McDaniel) Wolfe. She was married at the United Methodist Church in Linn on May 11, 1953 to Donald Leo Jennings who preceeded her in death on February 12, 2011.
A homemaker for much of her life, Norma cherished her time supporting her family, especially preparing meals for special gatherings. You could always depend on a big breakfast and nobody should start their day with less than 3 slices of bacon, her favorite. For 17 years, Norma worked for the Jefferson City High School food service baking and serving lunches.
Norma did her best to get her children involved in the Sunday School program, Moreau Bend 4-H Club, and Boy Scouts. Her commitment to volunteering led her to helping teach Sunday school, teach the foods classes as a 4-H leader, serve as President of the Boonville 49ers Women’s Club, and a member of the PTA board. She valued her friends and activities with the Extension Club. Some of her favorite memories with family were at the cabin on the Osage River near Henley, Mo. fishing, and swimming, pork steaks on the grill and sitting in the shade. She loved to watch Antique Roadshow and Mollie B’s Polka Party on Saturday night. Having the family together for holiday gatherings was her greatest joy. Norma’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the light of her life and she loved to spoil them. She truly cherished her family and friends.
Norma will be remembered for her loving generous heart, spunky sense of humor, and ability to make everyone feel special.
Survivors include: four children, Debbie McIlwain of Jefferson City, Mo. and Donald Jennings (wife, Pat) of Gilman, Ia., Doug Jennings (wife, Angel) of Centertown, Mo, Dana Gibler of Gravois Mills, Mo.; nine grandchildren, Carrie McIlwain, Kathleen McIlwain, Ryan Jennings, Adam Jennings, Brett Jennings, Andy Jennings, Aubrey Sluyter, Hannah Sluyter, Samantha Gibler; and thirteen great-grandchildren; Siblings, Evelyn Gilpin (husband, George), Sharon Chmidling (husband, David), and Bill Wolfe (friend, Linda )of Jefferson City, Mo; Alice Fowler of Boise, ID, and Danny Wolfe of Russellville Mo; and her Aunt Jessie (husband, Jay) Spillman of Linn Mo.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband of 55 years, Donald; her son-in-law Jim McIlwain; and her sister Shirley Jaegers.
Visitation will be held at Freeman Mortuary on Thursday, August 27, 2020 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Funeral services will follow at 1:00 p.m. in the Freeman Chapel with the Reverend Karen Taylor officiating. Entombment will be held in the Mausoleum of Riverview Cemetery. The general public is welcome to attend her services while following social distancing guidelines and are encouraged to wear personal masks while in attendance.
A webcast of the funeral service will begin on Thursday, August 27, 2020 at 12:45 P.M. for friends and family that are not able to attend by going to her memorial page on Freeman Mortuary’s website.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Hospice Compassus, 600 Monroe Street #100, Jefferson City, Missouri, 65101 and the Alzheimer’s Association, 2609 E Broadway #119, Columbia, Missouri 65201
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary, 915 Madison Street, Jefferson City, Mo. 65101.
www.freemanmortuary.com
Norma, the oldest of seven children, was raised on a farm near Linn in rural Osage County. She enjoyed the country life of fresh garden vegetables, fried chicken on Sunday and the joy of old-time country music at family gatherings.
Norma was born on November 22, 1934 in Linn, Mo., the daughter of Ernie and Mable (McDaniel) Wolfe. She was married at the United Methodist Church in Linn on May 11, 1953 to Donald Leo Jennings who preceeded her in death on February 12, 2011.
A homemaker for much of her life, Norma cherished her time supporting her family, especially preparing meals for special gatherings. You could always depend on a big breakfast and nobody should start their day with less than 3 slices of bacon, her favorite. For 17 years, Norma worked for the Jefferson City High School food service baking and serving lunches.
Norma did her best to get her children involved in the Sunday School program, Moreau Bend 4-H Club, and Boy Scouts. Her commitment to volunteering led her to helping teach Sunday school, teach the foods classes as a 4-H leader, serve as President of the Boonville 49ers Women’s Club, and a member of the PTA board. She valued her friends and activities with the Extension Club. Some of her favorite memories with family were at the cabin on the Osage River near Henley, Mo. fishing, and swimming, pork steaks on the grill and sitting in the shade. She loved to watch Antique Roadshow and Mollie B’s Polka Party on Saturday night. Having the family together for holiday gatherings was her greatest joy. Norma’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the light of her life and she loved to spoil them. She truly cherished her family and friends.
Norma will be remembered for her loving generous heart, spunky sense of humor, and ability to make everyone feel special.
Survivors include: four children, Debbie McIlwain of Jefferson City, Mo. and Donald Jennings (wife, Pat) of Gilman, Ia., Doug Jennings (wife, Angel) of Centertown, Mo, Dana Gibler of Gravois Mills, Mo.; nine grandchildren, Carrie McIlwain, Kathleen McIlwain, Ryan Jennings, Adam Jennings, Brett Jennings, Andy Jennings, Aubrey Sluyter, Hannah Sluyter, Samantha Gibler; and thirteen great-grandchildren; Siblings, Evelyn Gilpin (husband, George), Sharon Chmidling (husband, David), and Bill Wolfe (friend, Linda )of Jefferson City, Mo; Alice Fowler of Boise, ID, and Danny Wolfe of Russellville Mo; and her Aunt Jessie (husband, Jay) Spillman of Linn Mo.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband of 55 years, Donald; her son-in-law Jim McIlwain; and her sister Shirley Jaegers.
Visitation will be held at Freeman Mortuary on Thursday, August 27, 2020 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Funeral services will follow at 1:00 p.m. in the Freeman Chapel with the Reverend Karen Taylor officiating. Entombment will be held in the Mausoleum of Riverview Cemetery. The general public is welcome to attend her services while following social distancing guidelines and are encouraged to wear personal masks while in attendance.
A webcast of the funeral service will begin on Thursday, August 27, 2020 at 12:45 P.M. for friends and family that are not able to attend by going to her memorial page on Freeman Mortuary’s website.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Hospice Compassus, 600 Monroe Street #100, Jefferson City, Missouri, 65101 and the Alzheimer’s Association, 2609 E Broadway #119, Columbia, Missouri 65201
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary, 915 Madison Street, Jefferson City, Mo. 65101.
www.freemanmortuary.com