Norma Keena
August 19, 1931 ~ December 10, 2021
Norma Faye (Krak) Keena, August 19, 1931- December 10, 2021, was born on the farm where she was raised outside of Hamilton, ND, to Irene (Schluchter) and Rueben Krak, the youngest and last surviving of 4 girls.
Norma was an extroverted extrovert, who loved people and easily gathered up friends of all ages.
The loves of her life were many, including her dear sweet husband of 43 years, William Earl Keena, their children and their spouses, grand and great grandchildren, their spouses, and her friends.
Other loves were telling jokes, laughing, teasing and being teased, playing cards and Scrabble (and winning which she loved!), bowling, golfing, walking, baking pies and her famous potato salad, singing, listening to music, watching sports, dancing, traveling to visit family and interesting places in the USA, spending time with family and friends, and enjoying every moment of her life.
Included in words to describe Norma would be fun, witty, funny, loving, spunky, kind, entertaining, joyful, positive, hospitable, adventurous, friendly, spunky, nonjudgmental, kindhearted, charming, a good listener, loving, and aways a very good friend.
Norma's vocation in life was as a home-maker, lovingly caring for her husband, children and home. The jobs she had were sugar beet truck driver, excellent cookie maker for the hospital/nursing home, sugar beet plant employee and Avon lady.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Hillsboro Sanford Care Nursing Home music department.
Those who will miss her most besides her countless friends are her three daughters and their families, Joni (Bill) Woods, Jill (Steve) Cholewa, Deanna (David) White, grandchildren Naomi (Tom Atkinson), Judith (Maximo Barahona), David (Jennifer Blair) and Michael White, Joseph and Simone Bianco, Jared (Edgar) Cholewa-Cardona, Tammy Yarber, and Joseph Encarncion (Mo Fitzgerald). Norma's great grandchildren are Jaxon, Mavrik, Helena, Maximo, David Isaiah, Solomon John, Jericho Thomas, Elisa, Lina, Philomena, Seraphia, Marana, Gabriella, Josiah, Pierina, Benita, Talita, and one great great, Quest.
A memorial is planned for the spring or summer of next year.
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I am so sorry to here of Norma’s passing. I always enjoyed visiting with her in the nursing home. She was a very special woman. Sending prayers of comfort to her family.
Norma and Earl were our dear neighbors for many years. They cared for us snd our children and shared their lives with us. Knowing Norma has passed makes the world a little less joyful for us all. Please know that your words have captured her personality and we extend our sympathies to you all. God bless her memory.
Aunt Norma – always fun – always laughing – always loving – full of joy.
Rest in peace for a job well done. ❤️
Norma was my great aunt by marriage (my grandfather’s sister-in-law) and although I only met her a couple of times throughout my life, at family reunions, those couple of times are crystal clear memories. She was the life of the party and everyone around her was always smiling and laughing. My condolences to all who had the pleasure of meeting her – I am sorry to hear of her passing.
Your mom looks so beautiful and happy and I’m very sure she’s smiling down and so proud of her family who loved her and made sure she was always taken care of. Never easy losing mom.
Storma Norma! 🙂 I really miss her very much! She was a Fantastic woman who had a sarcastic sense of humor. She had this “stink eye” she used when she’s annoyed, funny, or whatever mood she’s in. She did indeed live her life, by her rules! Such great memories we’ve shared.. ❤
I’m sure glad I got to know your mom so well she was definitely special 💓She sure will be missed.
I did not have the pleasure of meeting Norma, but I am very Blessed to have met her daughter Deanna. Some of the very positive attributes describing Norma can definitely be applied to her daughter and I am sure other members of her family. I am sure Norma will be sorely missed by her loving family. She certainly did a fine job of raising up a loving caring daughter, who in turn raised a loving caring family. What better legacy can you leave.
So sad to hear of Norma’s passing, my mom, Ruth Barstad and Norma were the best of friends and where constantly playing little jokes on each other, like sending the same birthday card to each other and just crossing off the other ones name and adding theirs. Keep those good memories in your heart.
Coby Barstad
Joni, my condolences. Eternal rest grant her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her.
I had the privilege of caring for Norma along with Kathi we called ourselves the August girls since we were all August babies. A day never went by we ate chocolates with her and always joking and laughing. God Bless Norma she was amazing.
Marci Anderson
Norma Keena’s family -I was saddened to hear of Norma’s passing but I know the last few years have been trying. I pray that she is in heaven and you all are lifted up by her awesome grace in life!
Joni and Bill, so sorry for your loss. 👩 mothers with such great compassion are a gift ftom God. He surely has blessed you grestly. Joy
I remember Norma while she was driving beet truck, working for my dad Joe and uncle Herb. She was always a blast to work around, she’d always have a joke or be willing to help out with what ever she could! Outside of work she was so great to make sure and say hi, and visit when she could! She certainly was a gem!! Our condolences to all the family!
I remember Norma while she was driving beet truck, working for my dad Joe and uncle Herb. She was always a blast to work around, she’d always have a joke or be willing to help out with what ever she could! Outside of work she was so great to make sure and say hi, and visit when she could! She certainly was a gem!! Our condolences to all the family!
I’m so sorry for your loss. I know Norma will be greatly missed. Keeping your family in my prayers.
What a wonderful woman. I worked with Norma at Crystal in sugar loading. Great talks and great memories of friendship. RIP my friend. She lived a wonderful life. The lord will have a great place for her. Larry Wendlick
Joni and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. It was such an honor and pleasure to share music with Norma in the three and a half years I was at Sanford Care Center. We loved to play “name that tune” with old country classics, and she beat me every time! We shared many stories and laughs. One thing that was very clear was how much she loved her family. Prayers for you all.
-Adaire Reinpold, Music Therapist
Thank you everyone for your kind words. We all appreciate you taking the time. Momma truly lived life!!!!…..fun, friends, cards, golf, rum and cokes🥳