Norma Jean Hiddleson, 88, of Ankeny and formerly of Perry passed away Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, at the Bridges at Ankeny, surrounded by her family.
A visitation for Norma will be held from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 7 at the Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home-Perry Chapel at 1721 Park St. in Perry. A funeral ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 8 at the funeral home. Burial will follow at the Violet Hill Cemetery in Perry, Iowa.
Norma was born in Lake City, Iowa, on Dec. 5, 1935, to Charles Hane and Trola (Woods) Hane.
She met her best friend and love of her life, Don Hiddleson, and the two were married in 1955. Don and Norma spent 68 years together and raised four children at their farm near Dawson.
Norma was a dedicated farm wife and was always doing things around the house and helping with any chores that needed to get done.
She was known most for her gardening skills, and she had an incredible ability to create art through her flowers. Norma’s flower gardens were even featured in an article in the 2012 “Our Iowa” magazine, which highlighted one of Iowa’s most beautiful farms each year.
Norma also taught Sunday school at the United Methodist Church in Dawson for many years and continued attending church at the First Presbyterian Church in Perry.
She earned the nickname “Energizer bunny” from friends and neighbors because she never seemed to slow down.
Norma made sure that she was at every child’s sporting event or school performance, and she never missed any events of her grandchildren.
She and Don also enjoyed spending the winter months in Arizona, where she continued to make friends and socialize with everyone.
Norma will be remembered as an incredibly loving wife, mother and grandmother.
Norma was preceded in death by her parents; and her siblings, Fern Wilson, Glen Hane, Lloyd Hane and Ralph Hane.
Those left to cherish Norma’s memory are her husband, Don Hiddleson; her children, Colleen (David) Rich, Steve Hiddleson, Pam (Craig) Doocy and Kim (Jim) DeLong; her grandchildren, John (Ana) Rich, Jenn Rich, Sarah Rich, Lauren Doocy and Allison (Grant) Leonard; as well as her four great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are encouraged to the Perry Presbyterian Church. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.caldwellparrish.com.
