Norma Nelson

Norma (Verboomen) Nelson, age 95, at rest Saturday, August 23, 2025, at The Barrington of West Chester in West Chester, Ohio. Born January 26, 1930 in Chicago, daughter of the late Henry and Ethel Verboomen, beloved wife of Gordon Nelson (deceased), loving father of Deborah Winter and Sharon Rausch, cherished grandmother of Bethany (Josh) Noble, Kristy (Cody) Murphy, Stephen Rausch and Caitlin (Jim) Bruno, great grandmother of Hailey Noble, Brie Hall, Lucy and Gabriella Murphy, Richard Rausch, Ellie Mae Bruno, fond aunt of several nieces and a nephew, treasured cousins here and in Sweden, and dear friend of many.

Norma graduated from Hirsch High School, class of 1948, where she met her future husband, Gordon. They married in 1951 while she worked at the University of Illinois Champaign/Urbana Agriculture Department, and he attended college. They lived briefly in Tacoma, Washington while Gordon was in the U.S. Army. Returning to Chicago, she and Gordon bought a home in Dolton, Illinois where they raised their two daughters. In 1984 they moved to Londonberry, New Hampshire, where they lived until December 2000, at which time they moved back to Illinois and built a home in New Lenox. Norma moved to West Chester, Ohio in February of 2021 after Gordon’s passing.

Norma loved to play the card game Hand and Foot with other long time friends from church. She spent years singing in the choir at church alongside her husband.

Norma loved to travel, taking several trips out west as well as a few trips to Sweden.

Norma was a member of the Presbyterian Church of South Holland, Illinois until it closed in 2014. She was a member of the choir and the Worship Committee. After the church closed, she joined St. Peter’s United Church of Christ in Frankfort, Illinois.

She can best be described as sociable, independent, and strong-willed. She was proud of her family and maintained an organized and well-kept home.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude’s. Information is available at MuellerfuneralS.com.

Mueller Funeral Home is honored to serve the Nelson family.