Norma Jean Speckmann

Life Story: Norma Jean (Hester) Speckmann was born October 24, 1929 in Omaha, NE to Roy and Ida (Headley) Hester. She was baptized December 1939 into the Christian Church in Waterloo, NE. She attended Waterloo Public School until 1945, then moved to Valley, NE and completed her last two years at Valley High School. She then attended the International School of Business. Norma married Gilbert L. Speckmann on May 16, 1953 in Yutan, NE, where they lived until 1980, after which they lived in various places, returning to Yutan in 1990 to help care for Gil’s father. Two children were born to Norma and Gil: Holly J. and John Scott. Norma worked for the Yutan Public School District for 12 years, until she and Gil moved to Nebraska City, where they ran a liquor store. They then worked for Public Storage in Austin and Dallas Texas, and Wichita, Kansas. Norma was a Past Worthy Matron and a 50 year member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Valley, NE, and was active in church affairs, Girl Scouts and bowling. She was also an active member of the Elkhorn Eagles’ Club, and enjoyed going there on Friday nights with her good friend, Lloyd Rohwer. She shared good times, good memories, and many good meals at Jeri’s Café in Yutan with her best friend, Beverly Janecek; and the times spent with her grandchildren were special to Norma. Norma passed away on May 18, 2015 at the Josie Harper Hospice House in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 85 years, 6 months, and 25 days. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Gilbert, 4 brothers, and 2 sisters. Norma is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Scott and Amy Speckmann of Ashland, NE, daughter and son-in-law Holly and Jim Phillips of Irving, Texas, grandchildren: Lesley (Brandon) Furness of Irving, TX, Taylor John Speckmann of Casper, Wyoming, and Walker Lee Speckmann of Wahoo, NE, great grandson Grayson Lee Furness, and special friends; Lloyd Rohwer and Beverly Janecek. Newspaper Obituary with Service info: Norma J. Speckmann, age 85, of Yutan, NE, died 5/18/15. Preceded in death by her parents, husband Gilbert, 4 brothers, and 2 sisters. Survived by son and daughter-in-law Scott and Amy Speckmann of Ashland, NE, daughter and son-in-law Holly and Jim Phillips of Irving, Texas, grandchildren: Lesley (Brandon) Furness of Irving, TX, Taylor John Speckmann of Casper, Wyoming, and Walker Lee Speckmann of Wahoo, NE, great grandson Grayson Furness, and special friends; Lloyd Rohwer and Beverly Janecek. Graveside services 11 AM Friday, at Hollst Lawn Cemetery, Yutan, NE. Visitation Thursday, from Noon to 7 PM with the family receiving friends from 5-7 PM at the funeral home in Yutan. Memorials to the Josie Harper Hospice House or Hollst Lawn Cemetery.

Norma Jean Speckmann

October 24, 1929 - May 18, 2015