JoAnn L. Norem

JoAnn L. Norem, 81, of Clear Lake, died Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016, at the Mercy Medical Center North Iowa, Mason City, Iowa.

A celebration of JoAnn’s life will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, at Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake.  Inurnment will be in the Clear Lake Cemetery.  Family will greet friends on Friday, Nov. 25, from 5-7 p.m. at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, and also one hour before the service on Saturday at the church.  Due to JoAnn’s wishes, she will be cremated following visitation on Friday evening.  The family suggests memorials to Zion Lutheran Church in lieu of flowers.

JoAnn was born Oct. 9, 1935, in rural Fertile, Iowa, the daughter of Clarence and Agnes Clarinda (Benson) Bergan. She graduated from Hanlontown High School in 1953.  While in high school, she enjoyed playing basketball and was on a team that was one game from state.

She married Morris J. Norem on Aug. 10, 1957, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Mason City.

She was employed as a bookkeeper at Production Credit Association, secretary at Clear Lake High School, a teller at Clear Lake Bank and Trust, secretary at Area Education Agency and a bookkeeper and secretary at the Lutheran Resource Center for 22 years retiring in 2010, but continued to volunteer for many years.

She was a former member of the Clear Lake School Board and was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church, including past congregational council president.

She is survived by her husband, Morris Norem, Clear Lake; two sons, the Rev. Jim Norem and his wife, Linda, Randall, Iowa, and Jeff Norem and his wife, Patty, Franklin, Tenn.; four granddaughters, Tarra Carlson and her husband, Austin, Jaimee Norem and her fiancé, Jared Kernes, Amanda Wiersma and her husband, Paul, and Savannah Norem; three great-grandchildren, Fiston and Evelyn Carlson and Skylar Kernes; two sisters, Norma Helin and Arlene Keeling; two sisters-in-law, Muriel Bergan and Lynda Condurelis; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Roger, Arden and Dennis Bergan.

JoAnn will be remembered for her warm heart, her encouraging words and her sense of humor.