Norma Fern Corder McKenzie, age 88, passed away at Holmes Lake Manor in Lincoln on Tuesday, June 5, 2012. Norma was born on November 13, 1923 in Elwood, Nebraska to Claude and Alma (Hinze) Corder.
She graduated from Elwood High School in 1940. That summer she worked as a mission volunteer in a day care for migrant workers in New York State. Norma taught school three years at District 15 in Dawson County before attending Phillips University in Enid Oklahoma.
She was married to Jack Louis McKenzie on December 25, 1945. Jack and Norma had 6 children and operated a farm north of Elwood for 56 years. Norma was a full time wife, parent, and homemaker who took an active role in the education of her children. Jack and Norma were very active in the Christian Church on the local, district and state levels. Norma played piano, taught Sunday School, and sang in the choir. She and Jack later joined Calvary Assembly of God in Lexington, Nebraska where they actively supported the ministry of the church and went on mission trips to Panama and Bermuda. They also served on the Nebraska Council on Drug and Alcohol Education for many years. Norma was an active member and president of the Christian Women’s Club in Lexington. After Jack’s death, Norma moved to Lincoln where she lived in the Clark Jeary Retirement Community and was a member of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church.
Norma was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her five siblings, and an infant daughter, Rosa Lee. Norma is survived by five children: Jackie Speicher, of Richmond, IN, Penny (John) Cariotto, of Lincoln, Jerry (Judy) McKenzie, of North Platte, Pat (Kathy) McKenzie, of Durham, NC, and John (Jan) McKenzie, of Harvard. Other survivors include 13 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren, sisters-in-law, Deanie Corder, of Lees Summit, MO and Gail Willson, of North Platte.
Funeral Service: 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 9, 2012 at Roper and Sons Chapel, 4300 ‘O’ Street, Lincoln, NE. Pastor Wayne Alloway, officiating. Graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m. at the Elwood Cemetery.
Memorials in lieu of flowers to the family for distribution for Kids Against Hunger and Right Sharing of World Resources. Visitation one hour prior to service time.