Norma E Hock

Celebration of Life Services for Norma E. Hock will be held on Wednesday, July 8, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. at the Hope Lutheran Church in rural Smithfield, Nebraska with Pastor Daniel Landin and the Reverend Dr. Cathi Braasch officiating. Inurnment will be held in the Hope Lutheran Cemetery in rural Gosper County, Nebraska.

Due to health concerns, regarding the COVID-19 pandemic; current CDC and Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services guidelines for Faith-Based Services will be followed. The Hock family sincerely encourages each person to make their decision whether to attend Norma's services based on the best interest of your health, and that of your community.  Norma's memorial service will be live-streamed on the Hope Lutheran Church Facebook page: @HopeLutheranChurchSmithfield.

Norma Elizabeth Hock, 97 years of age, of Holdrege, Nebraska (formerly of rural Smithfield) passed away on Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at Holdrege Memorial Homes.  Norma was born July 20, 1922, near Hildreth, Nebraska, the eldest of three daughters to Gustav "Albert" and Maggie Ethel (Black) Turner. She received her primary education in a district school west of Funk, Nebraska through the third grade, and then attended District #14 near Moses Hill through the eighth grade. Norma then attended Holdrege Public Schools, where she graduated from Holdrege High School with the class of 1939. She then pursued her teaching credentials at Kearney State College in Kearney, Nebraska.

Norma instilled the importance of education to her children and grandchildren. She taught school for four years in one-room rural schools in Gosper and Phelps Counties until her marriage. ​

She was then united in marriage to the love of her life, Robert W. "Bob" Hock in St. Paul, Minnesota on October 27, 1944. To this union two children were born:  Ronald Robert and Cynthia Faye. When they were first married, Bob was serving in the United States Navy and Norma traveled with him during the time of his service. They resided in San Francisco, California, where Bob was stationed. ​Their son was born in San Francisco while Bob was serving in the South Pacific as an officer on the troop transport, USS General John Pope. Bob received a telegram of his son's birth several weeks later. Following his honorable discharge, the couple returned home to Gosper County in 1946, where they engaged in farming. During these years on the farm, Norma focused her efforts on raising their children and later loving her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.​ She was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Bob​ ​on August 31, 2016, after almost 72 years of marriage.

​Norma was truly a part of the greatest generation growing up during the depression, living through World War II, and then departing this world in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.​ Norma enjoyed gardening, sewing, handy work, reading, and loved to cook. ​She was a prolific oil painter producing many beautiful animal and landscape paintings. ​She was a devoted member of the Hope Lutheran Church, where she served in several capacities throughout the years. ​Norma was a dedicated 4-H leader of the Hi-Line Hustlers, teaching many girls including her daughter and granddaughters to knit, sew, and cook.

Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by: their son, Ronald Robert Hock in 2007, infant​ granddaughter, Andrea Lane Wendell; sister, Verna Swanson and her husband, Donald; and brothers-in-law:  John Gear, Vern Jackson and Harlan Lilyhorn.

Norma leaves to celebrate her life; her daughter, Cinde Wendell and her husband, Monte of Johnson Lake, Nebraska; four grandchildren:  Greg Hock and his wife, Pilar; and Gina Jones all of Henderson, Nevada; Jill Lavene and her husband, Justin of Lincoln, Nebraska; and Joe Wendell and his wife, Hannah of rural Smithfield; nine great-grandchildren:  Kaitlin and Katherine Hock; Brianna and Stephanie Jones; Ava, Carter and Grant Lavene; and Dylan and Ashlyn Wendell. In addition, she is also survived by her sister, Mary Louise Lilyhorn of Holdrege; sister-in-law, Lorraine Gear ​of San Luis Obispo, California; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A Memorial Book Signing will be held on Tuesday, July 7, 2020, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, per guidelines by the CDC for social distancing and number of people in the facility at one time.

A memorial has been established in Norma's honor, and kindly suggested to Hope Lutheran Church, Holdrege Memorial Homes or the donor's choice.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at ​www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.