Jefferson, WI - Neva Sue Norman, 88, of Jefferson, WI, passed away on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, following a very brief illness. She was born on February 10, 1937, in Bensonville, Illinois, to John and Mildred Morris, and was the youngest of their four children.
Neva was baptized in 1949 at Zion Evangelical Free Church, where she was an active member throughout her childhood and teenage years. She graduated from Timothy Christian High School in Chicago in 1955, where she was president of their first graduating class and earned top academic honors.
She married John A. Norman on May 18, 1957. In 1961, the family moved to rural Johnson Creek, WI, and Neva spent the rest of her life living in the Jefferson, Dodge, and Dane County areas. After being raised a "city girl" in Chicago, she adapted to being the wife of a farmer, raising chickens, working in the barns, and taking care of cattle, horses, and other homestead animals. Neva became an excellent cook and gardener, and was a stay-at-home mother for many years.
When the children were older, Neva held a variety of jobs in offices and factories, including working as a secretary at the local high school, helping to run a daycare, and working at Fiberesin in Johnson Creek for 10 years. In 1985, she graduated from Madison Area Technical College with a degree in Nursing Home Administration. Neva was an avid reader, played piano, loved to crochet, was a student of nutrition and diet, and could often be found reading through cookbooks looking for new ideas.
Neva's greatest legacy is her family. She is survived by her children Lori (Larry) Horton of Watertown, John G. (Blanca) Norman of Milwaukee, Teena (Joseph) Donnelly of Johnson Creek, and Charlene (Patrick) Lynn of Elk Grove Village, IL; 11 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great granddaughters, along with nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother John "Jack" Morris, sisters Evelyn Borth and Darlene Wacker, granddaughter Michelle Gfrorer, and grandson Maxwell Donnelly.
The family would like to thank the staff at Watertown Regional Medical Center Intensive Care Unit for their kindness and selfless care for Neva during her final hours, especially Dr. Goyal and Chad, RN.
www.claussenfuneralhome.comPublished by Watertown DailyTimes from Nov. 20 to Nov. 21, 2025.