Norma Pankonin

Norma Jean Pankonin, 96, long-time Ogallala resident, passed away July 3, 2026, at the Wauneta Care and Therapy Center.

Norma Jean Pankonin was born on August 28, 1929, at the family farm in Banner County near Harrisburg, Nebraska. She was the third child born to Andrew and Carrie Scoville Nelson. Norma attended Loraine Elementary School, where she received her early education and graduated from the eighth grade. She graduated from Banner County High School with the class of 1947.

On May 22, 1949, she was united in marriage to Wayne Pankonin. Wayne and Norma lived on the original Pankonin homestead north of Grant, Nebraska. Norma was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church north of Grant, Nebraska, on Sept. 18, 1952. To this union, two children were born, a son, Mark, and a daughter, Paula. Norma enjoyed helping Wayne with the farming operation. She was also a member of the A.B.C. extension club and enjoyed her hobbies of canning, gardening, quilting, and cooking. While living on the farm, they received the Ak-Sar-Ben award for 100 years of continuous family ownership of the land in 1985. After almost 50 years on the farm, Norma retired to a home in Ogallala, Nebraska.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Wayne; and two sisters, Dorothy and husband Lee Bowers, and Marjorie and husband Garold Mauler. She is survived by her son, Mark, and wife Kathy of Chadron, Nebraska; daughter Paula Finley of Shelbyville, Kentucky; grandchildren Luke (Kristin) Pankonin of Mitchell, Nebraska, Brian (Liz) Pankonin of Chadron, Nebraska, Aaron (Nikki) Frank of Portland, Oregon, and Sara (Bert) Romero of Shelbyville, Kentucky; and great-grandchildren Aubree and Rykin Pankonin, Myles and Liana Romero, and Calvin Frank.

Condolences may be shared at bullocklongfuneralhome.com, where the services will be streamed live.

Memorial services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 1, 2026 at Trinity Lutheran Church with Rev. J.M. Dickmander officiating. Inurnment will be in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery south of Ogallala.

Bullock Long Funeral Home of Grant is in charge of arrangements.