On May 8th, Mother’s Day, Jesus kept His promise to Norma Jennings (Edge) when he reunited her with her son Kevin and her childhood sweetheart and best friend Roderick in Heaven. She was 98 years young.
Norma was born May 27, 1923 to Lee Roy and Helen Edge in Soldiers Grove, WI. She was one of 6 children who was raised in a log cabin built by her grandparents. She was quick to relay to anyone that today’s youth couldn’t imagine what hard times were. She grew up in this little 3 bedroom cabin with a pot belly stove in the middle to keep the entire cabin warm. The girls sharing one room, the boys sharing another sleeping on feather tick mattresses. She helped cut wood with a cross saw and milked the cows by hand. She would also be quick to tell you what a wonderful childhood she had. Her father and mother taught her a love for singing, gardening and most of all her deep love for Jesus and her faith.
On September 12, 1940 at the age of 17 years old, Norma was united in marriage to Roderick Owen Jennings. This marriage was blessed with 3 children. Linda (Kirby) Simpson of Beloit, WI. Tracy (Shirley) Jennings of LaValle, WI and Kevin (Kathy) Jennings of Reedsburg, WI. Throughout their marriage and child rearing, Norma and Rod worked shoulder to shoulder and side by side on the family farm in Wonewoc, WI. They were truly a team in every way. Sometimes both working in the same field, one with a disc, one with a plow and Norma blowing kisses to Rod as they passed each other. Her pride for her three children was evident to anyone she spoke with. Even in her last days she would say that even though her children were in their 70’s and 80’s, they were still her babies. She was an exceptional mother and wife.
Norma was not only an exceptional mother and wife. She was an outstanding Grandmother, Great Grandmother, and Great Great Grandmother. Children brought her great joy. Numerous Sunday dinners were hosted at the farm with children playing in the yard, riding the ponies, dressing up in Grandma’s clothes and curtains. The saucer swing was always the best ride when Grandma pushed you on it. It felt like you could touch the sky. We all have so many wonderful memories of a Grandma who always had time for a hug and kiss, and always had a candy dish waiting for you to take a piece with you. If you left Grandma’s house hungry it was not for lack of food. She could feed a multitude of people with little notice due to jars of beautiful produce from her enormous garden that she planted and harvested every year. Grandma dreamed of being a famous singer. She was certainly famous to all of those who loved to hear her yodel and play her harmonica. She was definitely our star!
Norma was an avid member of the Wonewoc Methodist Church baking pies for Harvest suppers, working diligently for the pastor setting up Holy Communion and traveling states away to take kids who were part of MYF (Methodist Youth Fellowship) on mission trips. She also worked tirelessly for the army during the Vietnam war era folding parachutes for our troops. Norma loved to bake and cook. If you were lucky enough to have been gifted some of her Christmas cookies and candies or a birthday or wedding cake you understand what a talent she had in the kitchen. Her popcorn balls were a family favorite that her grandchildren and great grandchildren still try to replicate at Halloween time. Her legacy will live on through the generations of children she left an impact on through her many stories, memories and recipes.
Norma Ellen (Edge) Jennings is survived by her two children, Linda (Kirby) Simpson of Beloit, WI, Tracy (Shirley) Jennings of LaValle WI and daughter in law Kathy (Kevin) Jennings of Reedsburg WI. She is further survived by 9 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and 10 great great grandchildren along with many other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her husband Roderick, her son Kevin, grandson Darrick, her parents and siblings Elden, Edward, Alan, Wayne and Loretta.
A graveside service will be held on June 1, 2022 at 11:00 am at the Pine Eden Cemetery in Wonewoc, WI (Service at United Methodist Church, Wonewoc, if inclement weather), followed by a picnic luncheon at the Wonewoc City Park.
