Norma Jean Kroeker

Norma Jean Kroeker, 98, of Grant, passed away December 9, 2025, at Perkins County Hospital in Grant.

Norma was born July 26, 1927, at the family farmhouse between Madrid and Grant to Carl & Ruby (Belknap) Teichert. She graduated from Madrid High School in 1945 and attended Kearney State College. Norma went on to teach school for a year in rural Elsie. In February of 1948, she married Harold Kroeker in Madrid, NE. Harold and Norma were blessed with four children: Linda (Shovlain), Larry, Kent, and Bryan.

The stories were always long and detailed about the 1949 blizzard and how the roads had to be cleared by volunteers from Madrid so she could make it to the hospital in Grant to deliver her first child.

Norma's life was a celebration of the things she held dear - family, friends, cooking, music, reading, gardening, and chocolate. In the tapestry of Norma's life, her family played the central role. She cherished every moment, creating lasting memories filled with conversation and laughter. The Krazy Kroeker Christmas get-together was probably her favorite.

In addition to being a busy mom and devoted wife, she shared many hours of her time with the United Methodist Women in both Grant and Madrid. She helped serve countless funeral dinners over the years. She was a member of the United Methodist Church for over 80 years. She sang in the church choir and with a singing group (Intervals) for a number of years. Her faith was very important throughout her life. She faithfully attended church until it became difficult to get around. When the church began live-streaming services, she never missed one, attending in spirit until her death. Over the last few years, she loved Sundays in her housecoat, watching church services on TV and on her computer.

Norma was well-known for her cooking, especially for her red cakes, long before they came in boxes. She delighted in feeding the extended family on Sundays and holidays. Her children remember the meals she took to the field at noon for Harold were nothing short of a feast. She always enjoyed days and evenings at Lake McConaughy, grilling hamburgers on the lid of an old washing machine. She learned to water ski at the lake. She and Harold loved to swim and spent many hours at the indoor pool in Ogallala before he passed in 2002.

In her spare time, she liked to cook and listen to hymns on the radio. She spent most of her spare time reading books. She loved animals, horses being her favorite. She treasured the time traveling across the U.S. when Harold competed in Senior Track Meets and their numerous trips to faraway places.

In later years, she discovered the computer and spent countless hours on the Internet. She especially enjoyed watching live streams of basketball and football games when her great-grandsons, Colton and Cade, were competing. She was forever a Nebraska Cornhusker, watching all volleyball and football games.

She found laughter and friendship with her friends at Westview during the 20 years she lived there before her death.

Norma was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Harold, her brothers, Billy and Richard, her sister, Elsie Beck, and her grandson, John Shovlain.

Survivors include her four children and their spouses: Linda (Gary) Shovlain of Grand Island, Larry (Jane) of Ogallala, Kent (Rhonda) of Grant, and Bryan (Dana) Kroeker of Grant. Norma is survived by ten grandchildren, Amie Shovlain, Jason Shovlain, Nikki Kirkland, Kelsie Norris, Jenny Roby, Kasey Kroeker, Kelly Cornelius, Travis Kroeker, Laurie Largent, & Cooper Kroeker; eight great-grandchildren, Tyler, Bryson, Knox, Kash, Kizer, Colton, Cade, & Everly; and by her brother, Glen (Carol) Teichert of Missouri Valley, IA; as well as many other relatives and friends.

A memorial has been established in Norma's memory for later designation. Condolences may be shared at bullocklongfuneralhome.com, where the services will be streamed live.

Services will be on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Grant United Methodist Church with Pastor Spenser Johnson officiating. Interment will be in the Grant Fairview Cemetery.

Visitation will be on Friday, from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Bullock Long Funeral Home in Grant.

Bullock-Long Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.