Norma Joan Bostock

Norma Joan Bostock
Norma Joan Bostock went to her heavenly home on November 6, 2025, at her home near Ayr, NE with family by her side. Norma was the youngest child born on April 12,1943, to Albert J. Alberts and Frieda L. (Sundermeier) Alberts at their family farm south of Rosemont, Nebraska. Norma went to a one room country school south of Rosemont for 3 years then they moved to a farm east of Bladen. On December 12,1952, Norma's Father passed away. She was only nine years old. As a result, they moved off the farm and into the town of Bladen where Norma went to Bladen Elementary School for two years. Then Norma and her Mother Frieda moved to a house south of Genvil where Norma went to a one room schoolhouse south of Genvil for one year. Then they moved to Hastings and Norma went to Zion Lutheran Parochial School for 7th and 8th grade. Norma then attended Hastings High School and graduated in 1961.
On Labor Day 1959, Norma and one of her girlfriends stopped at Lonny's neighbor's farm where Lonny was helping put up grain bins. This was the first time they had met. The first thing Lonny noticed from atop the grain bin was Norma's bright yellow, red, and black checkered pants. Lonny thought to himself that they were the ugliest pants he had ever seen. Fortunately, when Lonny came down to talk, Norma's beauty, infectious smile, and sweet personality became the only focus. They had a double date that evening and went on to date for 2.5 years. Lonny let Norma drive his brand-new 1959 Dodge Coronet so she wouldn't have to walk several blocks to school. He told her firmly, "Please don't wreck my car!" Years later, Norma told one of her grandchildren about the experience - how exciting it was to drive that shiny new Dodge, and how she may have tested it out a little more than she admitted at the time. She also confessed that she never did tell Lonny just how much fun she had with his car. Norma and Lonny were married on May 6, 1962, at the United Methodist Church in Ayr, Nebraska. After their honeymoon in Colorado, they moved to Albert Bostock's farm southeast of Ayr where they farmed together and started their family with their first child, Cindy. In March 1965, they moved across the creek to their new house where they expanded their family with Clint and Lisa and where Norma lived the rest of her life.
Norma enjoyed working with people in retail and had an infectious smile for anyone she met. Norma started her first job when she was 16 years old working on Thursday evenings and Saturdays at the lunch counter at Hestad's Dime Store. Then she worked at Allen's Self Service Drug and then took a break for a few years to raise her family. Throughout the rest of her career, she worked at Allen's Department Store, Ben Sherman's, Crowley's, Montgomery Wards and again at Allen's. She made many lifelong friends during her working years.
Norma was a member of Pauline United Methodist Church for 52 years. She loved her family dearly and never missed a chance to cheer on her children at their sporting events. In her later years, she found great joy in supporting her grandchildren and great-grandchildren at their activities as well. Norma was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She will always be remembered for her steadfast support of her family, her beautiful smile, her wonderful laugh, and her amazing cooking, especially when her family would gather every Sunday evening. Her nieces and nephews have fond memories of family gatherings where she would bring her famous German chocolate caramel brownies and how she would send them a quarter and a stick of fruit stripe gum in their birthday card. Norma was known for her strong work ethic and determination-qualities she not only lived by but lovingly passed down to her children. She believed that anything worth having was worth working for, and she instilled in her family the same values of perseverance, responsibility, and integrity that guided her own life. She taught her chlldren the importance of family, the power of a caring heart, and the joy of finding beauty in everyday moments. We will miss her!
Norma is survived by her husband of 63 years, her children: Cindy (Jamie) Nejezchleb, Clint (Charleen) Bostock, Lisa Bostock, grandchildren: Tyler (Ashley) Olson, Tanya (Tyler) Fraser, Cale (Beth) Olson, Travis (Nichole) Bostock, Lacey Bostock, Michelle Lucero, Carly Bostock, Will Grieser, Luke Grieser, Allison Grieser. Step grandchildren: Creighton Nejezchleb, Halston (Jenna) Nejezchleb, Jamison Nejezchleb, Jessica (Jake) Wright, Anthony Mertens, Alisha Streff, and Andrew Streff. Great grandchildren: Brenna & Hadley Fraser, Laken & Lexie Bostock, Nathan Zoubek, Nora Olson, Stetson, Josie & Laney Olson. Step great grandchildren: Karlyn & Karter Nejezchleb, Brooklyn & Maddi Nejezchleb, Evelyn Wright, Michael & Noah Mertens, Ashton, Vendell & Andy Juzyk. She had many nieces and nephews as well.
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