Norma Kerper

Norma Mae Kerper, 96, of Dubuque died Wednesday, November 26, 2025 at MercyOne Medical Center. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 pm Sunday, November 30 at the Egelhof, Siegert and Casper Funeral Home, 2659 Kennedy Road. There will also be a visitation from 9 to 9:45 am Monday, December 1 at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.
Norma was born on July 12, 1929 in Dyersville, Iowa, daughter of August and Hilda (Krapfl) Joester. She graduated from Xavier High School. On September 4, 1954 she married the love of her life, Albert Kerper, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica, Dyersville. Together, they raised four children, Ellen, Dan, John and Mary Pat. While being a wife and mother was her primary calling, she also worked as a teacher's aide at Hoover Elementary School and Younkers department store. Whatever her role, Norma's presence brought love, humor and devotion to the task that was second to none.
As a wife, Norma supported Al in his 37 years of service to Amoco Oil Company and his 20 years of service to the Navy. After the kids started school, she worked as a teacher's aide at Hoover Elementary School. She often recalled her favorite students and many of them remembered her. As office manager at Younkers, she was the first employee to be named Employee of the Year. Following their retirements, Norma and Al enjoyed winters in Texas with friends and trips to Europe and Australia.
Mom wanted nothing but the best for her children and grandchildren. She gave us the gift of faith and from that, an unparalleled devotion to family. In 1974, her son John was diagnosed with leukemia, and she spent several weeks with him in Madison, WI for treatment. John died in 1975, almost 50 years to the day she was reunited with him.
Mom made everyone feel special. She took genuine interest in the lives of everyone she met and could make even a stranger feel at home. She developed lifelong friendships while playing golf and bridge, and the holiday celebrations she hosted were filled with fun for extended family and friends. We are blessed with many "lessons from Mom" that will remain with us for the rest of our lives. The examples of faith, love, and strength are forever imprinted on the family. Faith in God and love of family will continue to be our guiding lights.
She is survived by her children Ellen (Steve) Baumhover, Dan (Joanne) Kerper, and Mary Pat Kerper; grandchildren John (Sara) Baumhover, Andy (Katie) Baumhover, Elizabeth Kerper (partner Brian Riggins) and Allison Kerper (fiancé Valmik Patel); great grandchildren Claire, Will, Frances, Jacob, Zach, Cris and Ashlyn; her sister, Mary Maiers; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Al; her son, John; her brother, James Joester; and many sisters- and brothers-in-law.
Friends and family who with to honor Norma's memory may make a donation to St. Joseph the Worker Church or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Stonehill Care Facility and MercyOne Medical Center for their wonderful care. The family would also like to thank the friends and neighbors for all their support for the past few months.
Online condolences may be sent to www.egelhofsiegertcasper.com.