Norma Jean "Tillie" Ortega, 84, of Ankeny, Iowa, formerly of Topeka, KS, passed away Tuesday, October 13, 2015.
Norma was born December 15, 1930, in Huron, KS. She graduated high school and worked as a nurse's aide at Hiawatha and Horton Hospitals. She married Jack Meisenheimer, and together they had 3 children.
She later moved to Topeka where she went to Nursing School, and worked as an LPN at Stormont Vail Hospital until her retirement in 2000.
In 1967, she married Paul Larson and they adopted a son.
After Paul's passing, she was married to Socorro "Collie" Ortega. She enjoyed many years with "Collie" and considered his family as her own.
Norma truly was a nurse at heart. Beyond her work, she cared for, and touched many people's lives. She never met a stranger.
She enjoyed dancing, fishing, Big Band & Lawrence Welk music, cooking, playing practical jokes, family get-togethers, and making others laugh.
Norma is survived by her 4 children, Thomas (Linda) Meisenheimer of Overbrook, KS; Jean (Dennis) Liberty of Ankeny, IA; Gary (Deanna) Meisenheimer of Hiawatha, KS; and Steven Larson; 9 step-children, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, 2 nieces, and her beloved dog, Buddy.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Martin and Helen Kloepper, her 3 husbands, and a sister, Eleanor Schupbach.
Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m., Monday, October 19, 2015, at Penwell Gabel Mid-Town Chapel, 1321 S.W. 10th Ave, Topeka. A visitation will be held 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Sunday Oct. 18, also at the funeral home.
Memorials may be directed to New Horizons Adult Day Center, 406 S.W. School St., Ankeny, IA 50023.
To leave a special message for Norma's family, please visit the guestbook below.