Norma D. Wanninger

Norma Darlene Wanninger, the daughter of Samuel B. and Elvira (Kristensen) Andersen, was born July 17, 1925, in Lewis, Iowa and died August 16, 2016, at the Exira Care Center in Exira, Iowa at the age of 91 years, and 29 days.
Norma was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon, Iowa. She attended rural school #3 in Audubon County, Iowa then moved into Audubon and did domestic work for Earl and Grace Garoutte.
On July 10, 1947, she was united in marriage to John J Wanninger III at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Audubon, Iowa. They farmed near the Gray, Iowa area for many years. Norma helped John operate the farm and was a homemaker raising their six children Vickie, John Craig, Cynthia, Lisa Marie, Lori Renea, and Lana Dee. Later Norma worked at the Wagon Wheel Restaurant in Gray, Iowa, sorting corn for Garst and Thomas in Coon Rapids. Later she operated a bar, Norma’s Tap, in Manning for a few years. During the weekends she helped at the Sale Barns in Audubon and also Denison.
In September of 1990 a fire destroyed their home and they moved into Manning. John died on September 27, 1996. Norma lived in Manning, Iowa until she moved to Exira Care Center on July 13, 2016.
Norma was a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon, Iowa. She was a life time member of the VFW Auxiliary and American Legion Auxiliary. She also was an Aspinwall Community Club member. Norma also volunteered at the Blood Mobile. She enjoyed Bingo, cards and visiting the casinos. In her younger years she and John enjoyed going to dances. They especially enjoyed Polka Music and going to neighborhood card clubs. Norma also enjoyed visiting with people. But most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family.
Preceding her in death were her husband John (Big John) Wanninger III, her parents, father-in-law and mother-in-law John Jr. and Hedwig Wanninger, her brothers and sisters, James and wife Charlene Andersen, LaVerne and wife Ivadell Andersen, Evelyn and husband Robert Wiges and Milo Andersen; her brothers-in-law and sisters –in-law Ann Hedgpeth, Bertha and husband Don Lingl, Walter Wanninger, Ted Vier and Edward Wanninger.
Survivors include her children Vickie Ewoldt, John Craig Wanninger, IV and wife Nancy, and Cynthia Kay and Keith Vokt all of Audubon, Iowa, Lisa Marie and husband Wayne Zimmerman of Dexter, Iowa, Lori Renea and husband David Genzen of Manning, Iowa, and Lana Dee Wanninger of Denison, Iowa; her grandchildren Shawn Robert Ewoldt of Aspinwall, Iowa, John Jesse Wanninger,V and fiancée Miranda Bills of Audubon, Iowa, Lucas Dean Wanninger and fiancée Farran Regan of Arjonia, Kansas, Amber Kay Vokt and Ramie Jo Vokt both of West Des Moines, Iowa, Lacey Rae Vokt and Tyre Eugene Vokt both of Audubon, Iowa, Justin John Zimmerman of Dexter, Iowa, Chelsea Marie Zimmerman and Terry Wayne Zimmerman both of Carson City, Nevada; Heather Jo and husband Eric Adams and Abby Lynn and husband Jon Lapel all of Vail, Iowa; her great grandchildren Colton David Ewoldt of Hollywood, California, Levi David Lapel and Riley Thomas Adams both of Vail, Iowa, and Ayden John Zimmerman of Carson City, Nevada; her brothers and sister Donald and wife Janice Andersen of Audubon, Iowa, Dale and wife Betty Andersen of Carroll, Iowa and Dorothy and husband Donald Nelsen of Avoca, Iowa; her brothers-in law and sisters-in-law Rosalie Vier of Nevada, Iowa, Marlene Wanninger, Donna Wanninger both of Carroll, Iowa; her cousin T.R. Andersen, Jr. of Audubon, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Doug Opp on Tuesday, August 23, 2016, at 10:00 A.M. at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon. Interment will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon. The honorary casket bearers will be Colton David Ewoldt, Levi David Lapel, Riley Thomas Adams, and Ayden John Zimmerman. The casket bearers will be Shawn Robert Ewoldt, Lucas Dean Wanninger, Ramie Jo Vokt, Tyre Eugene Vokt, Chelsea Marie Zimmerman, Terry Wayne Zimmerman, Abby Lynn Lapel, John Jesse Wanninger, Amber Kay Vokt, Heather Jo Adams, Justin John Zimmerman, and Lacey Rae Vokt. The family will meet with friends on Monday evening August 22, 2016, at 4:00P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon, Iowa.