Norma Jean Pence, 95, of Okemos, Michigan, passed away peacefully on May 3, 2025. She was born on September 13, 1929, in Green County, Wisconsin, the eldest child of Carl and Harriet (Havekorst) Hannes.

Norma grew up as a farm girl, beginning in Monroe, WI where she attended the one-room Greenbush Country School through eighth grade. Norma graduated from Albany High School

With aspirations to become a nurse, Norma attended Milton College before beginning her formal training at Columbia Hospital School of Nursing in Milwaukee. She began her nursing career in 1950 as a Registered Nurse and Obstetrics Supervisor at Columbia Hospital and later served as a Public Health Nurse with the Milwaukee County Health Department.

In 1955 she married Jim Pence of Milwaukee. Together, they raised their family in Milwaukee and later in Linden, Michigan. She was a devoted member of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Wauwatosa, WI.

Norma had a lifelong love of nature, travel, sewing, and birds-especially the red cardinal. She organized family camping trips across the U.S. and, in retirement, traveled to Europe and Mexico.

She is survived by her children, Tom (Lora) Pence of Okemos, Ml, and Diane Pence of West Brookfield; her grandchildren, Nathan (Emma) Pence and Dawning Pence of Okemos; Alexandra French {Fernando), Peter French, and great-grandson Benjamin of West Brookfield, MA; and her brother Paul Hannes of Monroe, WI. She is also lovingly remembered by many nieces and nephews.

Norma was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Carl Hannes, of Albany, WI.

Funeral services will be private.

Final resting place will be at Wisconsin Memorial Park in Brookfield, Wisconsin.