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Norma Duff Obituary
November 8, 1932 - October 5, 2025
Norma "Jean" Duff, age 92, passed away 10/5/25 at Southlake Village in Lincoln, Neb.
One of five children born to Otto and Louise Schnuelle, she was raised in Pickrell, Neb., where her father ran the local grain elevator.
After finishing high school at Beatrice, she attended Nebraska Wesleyan for a year where she joined her sister Dorothy at the Willard sorority. Jean was then accepted into the Lincoln General School of Nursing and received her RN there three years later. Of note was that during this time she also took further classwork at Wesleyan and received her bachelor's degree!
While working as a supervisor at Lincoln General she went on a blind date with Don Duff, who impressed her with knowing who Frank Lloyd Wright was. They married in 1957 and enjoyed 62 years together until Don's passing in 2019.
After moving to Cincinnati, Ohio for Don's first engineering job, Jean's nursing career was largely replaced by raising their four boys. In mid-life they made a big move back to Grand Island Neb., where Don took over the family business in commercial roofing. Jean was known for her excellent chocolate chip cookies and sour cream raisin pie. As her sons married, she really loved the company of her daughters-in-law.
In her later years she kept up on each season of The Bachelorette with her granddaughters and was busy reading books and the newspaper while enjoying regular games of bingo. She loved Runza Hut, especially the onion rings.
Jean was preceded in death by husband Don, son Dave, parents Louise and Otto, and siblings Vernon, Leonard, Lloyd and Dorothy.
Survivors include three sons-Mark [Annette], Craig [Joni], Pat [Sue],daughter-in-law Laurie, 12 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.
A private service will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
Contributions may be left in care of the Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home or made via PanCAN (Pancreatic Cancer Action Network).org" target="_new" rel="nofollow">PanCAN (Pancreatic Cancer Action Network).org
Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home
6800 South 14th Street
Lincoln, Neb. 68512
4024231515
Memories and Condolences
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2 Entries
Roberta Seaman
October 9, 2025
I remember Jean from her time at St Francis. She always had a smile and we chatted a few minutes when she delivered lab reports. Know she will be missed by many. Thoughts and prayers for family.
bill porn
October 8, 2025
I had the pleasure of helping Jean and Don purchase a home when when they moved to Lincoln, referred to them after helping Craig and Joni. Such a neat couple and family. Jean was lovely. I'm sure she will be missed greatly by her loving kids and grands.
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