Norbert Jenn

Norbert F. Jenn, age 81 of North Washington, Iowa passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on March 7, 2014 at the Hiawatha Care Center in Hiawatha, Iowa. A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating his life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 12, 2014, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in North Washington, Iowa. Burial will be in St. Mary‘s Cemetery, North Washington at a later date. Friends may call from 3-7 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at the Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home in New Hampton, IA. A 5:30 p.m. Scripture Service will also be held Tuesday evening. Further visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Norbert was born February 17, 1933, in New Hampton, IA, the son of William and Margaret (Ries) Jenn. His mother passed away when he was nine and his stepmother, Mary (Zeien) Jenn helped raise him. Norb attended Immaculate Conception school in North Washington and after graduation he served his country proudly in the U.S. Army. His military career took him to Salt Lake City, Utah and San Francisco, CA but Norbert returned home and married his great love, Betty Lou (Ries). Norbert and Betty attended school together and grew up a mile apart on their family farms. Known for his strong work ethic, Norbert was employed full time at White Farm Equipment as a machinist for 39 years, while living out his dream of farming. Norbert and Betty lived on their farm for many years, while they raised their eight adoring children. Norbert was a long-time member of Immaculate Conception Church in North Washington where he served on the parish council, was a member of The Catholic Order of Foresters and proudly sang with the Men’s Choir for many years. He was very proud of the Choir and cherished the friendships he had with its members. Norbert and Betty moved to a new home in New Hampton in 2006 and then together moved to The Hiawatha Care Center in July 2009. Betty passed away in December 2009. Norbert enjoyed spending time with family and friends, yearly family fishing trips to Waterville, MN, playing cards with his friends, tinkering in his shop, quiet moments on his tractors and relentlessly teasing Betty. Survivors include his eight children, Peggy (Scott) Lester of New Hampton, IA, Laura (Ron) Frantzen of Ames, IA, Kevin (Chris) Jenn of Amherst, NE, Tracey (Tim) Wilson of Colfax, IA, Kerry (Todd) Kienast of Cedar Rapids, IA, Torri Jenn of Marion, IA, Krista (Ronnie) Blocklinger of Cedar Rapids, IA, Kyle (Jennifer) Jenn of North Liberty, IA; 16 grandchildren, Beau (Ashley), Blaine (Megan), and Raegan Lester, Will and Andrew Frantzen, Ashley, Austin and Allison Jenn, Michael, Vaughn, and Ries Wilson, Karsen Blackman and Marissa Kienast, Isabella and Benjamin Blocklinger, Gabriel Jenn, Peyton and Alexa Stadler; three great-grandchildren, Capri and Jet Lester, Maya Lester; three brothers, Claire (Inga) Jenn of Racine, Wisconsin, William (Josie) Jenn of Newton, Kansas, Thomas (Mona) Jenn of Ionia; two sisters Jane (Stephen) Mumm of Marion, Iowa, Louise Jenn of Sioux City, Iowa. He is preceded in death by Betty, his wife of 51 years, parents, step mother, two sisters, Florence Urbaniak and Leona Rapez, brother James, and infant grandson, Samuel Blocklinger. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Norbert’s memory.