Norma Jeane Bell
Norma Jeane Currier was born in Monroe, Iowa November 16, 1931, the first child of John “Jack” Madison Currier and Cora Belle “Honey” Best Currier. The family moved to a farm east of Monroe in the spring of 1932. However, timing was bad as the Depression was in progress and in August, 1937, the family established a permanent home in town. Norma Jeane entered the Monroe Public Schools and in May, 1950, she graduated valedictorian of her high school class.
On 14 January, 1951 Norma Jeane and Robert D. Bell were united in marriage at the Methodist Church in Mount Ayr, Iowa, Reverend George Pennington officiating. The couple lived in Newton a few months before moving to Colfax. In 1957 Robert’s work took them to Manchester, Iowa, and in 1960 to Webster City, where they remained.
With each move Norma Jeane transferred her church membership to a local congregation of the Methodist (later United Methodist) Church with which she had united in 1943 at Monroe. Throughout the years she was active as a church school teacher, a member of most committees and leader of many. She was especially involved with the Women’s Society of Christian Service (now United Methodist Women).
She was employed as a temporary office clerk/cashier, florist, and in 1963 became a member of the staff of Kendall Young Library, retiring as Children’s Librarian in 1993. Her hobbies included sewing, reading, collecting nativities, refinishing furniture, attending auctions, and genealogy. The latter led to joining Hamilton Heritage Hunters where she enjoyed helping many people learn more about their Hamilton County ancestors. She was also a member of Scottish Heritage Society and other genealogy groups in Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois.
Norma Jeane is survived by her sister Lois June Rozga of Clintonville, Wisconsin, several cousins, nieces and nephews, and very special friends Jane, and her brother Leonard, Curtis. Those preceding her in death were her parents (father in 1988, mother in 1999), husband (1980), sisters Betty Joy Bowie (2021), Myrna Rae Siebelts (2015), Bonnie Belle Clinkenbeard (2011), and infant brother Edward James Currier (1941).
Norma Jeane passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 8 at Webster City’s Southfield Wellness Community. A graveside interment and celebration of life ceremony will be held at Graceland Cemetery on Saturday, May 17 at 11:00 am. Please call 319-504-5748 for directions to the gravesite.