Norman Roorda

Norm Roorda, 85, of Oskaloosa passed away Thursday, August 13, 2020, at Mahaska Health Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. Norman Lee Roorda, son of John and Anna Mae (DeWinter) Roorda, was born September 22, 1934, in Marion County, near Pella, Iowa. He grew up on a farm near Montezuma and graduated from Montezuma High School. Norm enlisted in the United States Army on September 1, 1954. Of the two years Norm served in the service, he spent 18 months overseas. He was discharged on September 1, 1956. Norm met the love-of-his-life, Dena Mae Johnson in 1957, and they married April 5, 1958, at the First Church of the Nazarene in Oskaloosa. They soon moved to Montezuma and lived there until 1963, when they returned to Oskaloosa. Norm and his brother, Virgil owned operated Dime Delivery, a local delivery service in Oskaloosa for several years before going to work for Bloom Builders as a semi-truck driver. He finished his working career driving a truck for at Pella Corp.; he worked there 25 years and retired in 2020. Norm was a member of Omega Church, Tri-Luminar Masonic Lodge, and the American Legion. He enjoyed playing golf with his son Randy and playing pool. He was an avid Chicago Cubs and Iowa Hawkeye fan. Norm’s family includes his wife, Dena of Oskaloosa, three sons: Mark (Shawna) Roorda of Beacon, Michael Roorda of Fawcett, MO, and Brent Roorda of Oskaloosa; seven grandchildren: Christopher (Melissa) Roorda, Brandi (Jason) Van Zomeren, Dena (Andy) Green Meagan (Chris) Durham, Krystan Roorda, and Chad Black, Zeb, and Kelsi Williams, Jason (Elly) Linewebber; eleven great-grandchildren: Seth, Avery, Tatum, Boston, Willow, Bailey, Cael, Drake, Ryker, Wendy, and Max. He is also survived by four brothers: Elmer (Delaine) Roorda of Oskaloosa, Lyle (Judy) Roorda of Montezuma, Virgil (Rosie) Roorda of Barnes City, and Bruce (Judi) Roorda of Montezuma; four sisters: Patricia Davis of Oklahoma, Linda Mason of Colorado, Marge Clayton of Grinnell, and Sharon (Frank) Fowler of Grinnell. In addition to his parents, Norm was preceded in death a son Randy; three brothers: Harlan, Loren and Marvin; and three sisters: Joyce Stone, Barb Foster, and Marilyn Cook. Funeral services for Norm will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, August 19, 2020, at Langkamp Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Pastors Dave Brown and Cyril McKay of Omega Church officiating. Burial will be in Forest Cemetery with Military Honors by the Iowa Army National Guard Honor Guard and the Oskaloosa Honor Guard. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m., Tuesday at the funeral chapel; the family will greet visitors from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday evening. Memorials can be made to St. Jude’s Hospital Children’s Research Hospital.

Norman Roorda

September 22, 1934 - August 13, 2020