Norma G. Covey

Norma G. Covey, 80, passed away at her home on Sunday, April 23, 2017 in Shenandoah, IA.

Family will greet friends on Thursday, April 27, 2017 from 6-7 pm at Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury, NE. Memorials may be directed to donor choice. Private family graveside service at Fairbury Cemetery in Fairbury, NE.

Norma G. Covey, 80, of Shenandoah, Iowa, passed away Sunday, April 23, 2017 at her home. Her two sons were at her side. Norma was born June 7, 1936 in Compton, California as Norma Gail Hurst to Esther J. Hurst and Floyd R. Hurst. She had one sibling upon entering this world, Robert Hurst of Fairbury. Returning to Fairbury as a toddler, Norma flourished in Fairbury attending elementary and high school, and also developing friendships that lasted and brought her joy for a lifetime.


After graduation, Norma returned to California to find her life’s calling. She began working in Southgate for Firestone on the U.S. missile defense systems. However, it was a short lived career as a young sailor in the Navy came calling named Norm Covey from Fairbury. She knew he was the one and eloped January 22, 1955 to Yuma, Arizona to become Mrs. Norma G. Covey.


One of Norma’s lifelong dreams was to become a wife and mother. On May 19, 1956 her first son was born – Nick and on July 21, 1957 her second son was born – Nat. She was on top of the world the next 20 years having a family to love and take care of.


In 1965 the family moved to Huron, South Dakota. Norma made quick new friends and found herself introduced to some fun job opportunities and fond new memories.


She was a transfer agent of wild animals between zoo’s, and during off seasons, she worked in a garden center nourishing and raising flowers. During the long winter months she had learned how to ice skate, ice fish, hunt and hike adding to her many activities as a mother raising two boys and a husband.


The next chapter in life brought Norma to Shenandoah, Iowa in 1975. Norma and Norm found the paradise they had been looking for a home in the country with land to spread out their wings. She learned all about John Deere tractors so that she could operate her own alongside her husband on his. The house in which she spent 40 years became known to the family as “The Hill.” Named rightly so as the view from the home in Southwest Iowa is utterly breathe taking. Retirement years were enjoying family, friends, wintering in Florida and traveling the world. Her wish was to be on The Hill for her final days.



Preceeded in death by her husband Norman Covey in 2016.



Survivors include her son Nick Covey and wife Deborah of Beatrice, Nebraska, son Nat Covey of Fairbury, Nebraska, grandson Niles Covey and wife Kellie of Lincoln, Nebraska, granddaughter Nicole Powell and husband Sean of Beatrice, Nebraska, great-granddaughter Alexandria Covey of Beatrice, Nebraska, brother Robert Hurst of Fairbury, Nebraska, many nieces and nephews and her two loving cats Sam and Joon of Shenandoah, Iowa.