Jolene Kay Norviel

Jolene Norviel passed away while lovingly surrounded by family on March 18, 2015 at the age of 64. Jolene was born in 1950 near Primghar, Iowa, to George and Leona Geerdes. Her family, including brothers Jay and Jerry, moved to Hartley, IA, and eventually settled in Estherville, IA. She met Lee Norviel in an English class at Iowa Lakes Community College. These two sweethearts married in August 1969. Lee and Jolene were happily married for over 45 years, during which time they lived in Estherville, Storm Lake, LeMars, and Urbandale. Jo was the best mom ever to Joni Shellabarger of Appleton, WI; Jason Norviel of St. Peters, MO, and Jill Johnson of Longmont, CO. Jo loved spending time with her family, which grew to include sons-in-law David Shellabarger and Brian Johnson and daughter-in-law Beth Norviel, as well as four grandchildren: Ashley and Emily Norviel; and Finley and Drew Shellabarger. Jo loved her time with her family, often spent playing games and cards, doing puzzles, baking delicious cookies, and giving the most amazing hugs. Jo was an avid crafter and loved cross-stitch, sewing, and quilting. She was in craft club, played bridge, and was active in her church. She attended Redeemer Lutheran Church in Estherville, Grace Lutheran Church in LeMars, and Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Urbandale. Jolene had many jobs during her life, but her favorites were running a consignment craft store called "It's Original" in Estherville, serving as church secretary for the United Methodist Church in LeMars, Iowa; and celebrating over 20 years with Iowa Foundation for Medical Care as the assistant to the CEO. Jo made lifelong friends wherever she worked. Jolene is preceded in death by her father, George Geerdes. She is survived by her husband, Lee Norviel; her mother, Leona Geerdes; her brothers, Jay (Gerrie) and Jerry (Judy) Geerdes; her "sister" and best friend, Nancy Schroeder; her three children and four grandchildren. Jo's family would like to extend thanks and praise to the staff on Powell 3 for the years of warmth, smiles, and care during her stays; the staff of Mercy Hospice - Johnston for the tender care in her final days; the pastors of Gloria Dei for spiritual support and guidance; and Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home for making arrangements. Visitation will be held at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Urbandale on March 23 from 4 7 pm. A funeral service will take place on March 24 at 10:30 am at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate your time or resources in Jolene's name to any one of the following organizations that touched their lives through her journey: The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (www.themmrf.org) The Sandra J Schulze American Cancer Society Hope Lodge in Rochester, MN (www.donate.cancer.org) Mercy Hospice of Johnston (www.foundation.mercydesmoines.org)