Norma Jane Leenerts Baranosky

Norma Jane Leenerts Baranosky, of Des Moines, Iowa, (and Saint Louis, Mo.), passed peacefully in her St. Louis home, just a year ago on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, just four months after proudly turning 100. She was so thrilled with the many beautiful birthday cards and greetings she received from family, and her many dear friends from the Humphrey area.

Norma’s funeral and burial were delayed a year due to the COVID pandemic. A Celebration-of-Life memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Humphrey, Nebraska, Friday, Oct. 29, 2021, 10 a.m. (All attendees please wear a mask.) Following the Mass, Norma’s ashes will be buried in St. Francis Cemetery, Humphrey, next to her husband Ernie.

Norma’s family and friends attending the services are invited to share in a light lunch following burial services. The luncheon will be held in the St. Francis church basement.

Born June 24, 1920, in Humphrey, Neb.

Father: George H. Leenerts Mother: Eula Warner Leenerts

Stepmother: Esther Eisenmenger Leenerts

Education: St. Francis School in Humphrey, Neb., graduating from high school in 1937.

She graduated from St. Vincent Charity Hospital School of Nursing, Cleveland, Ohio, in 1941, as a Registered Nurse and was licensed as a Registered Nurse in Nebraska, Iowa and Minnesota.

Norma and Ernest Dominic Baranosky were married on March 4, 1943, in Humphrey, Neb. They were blessed with three children, Mary Jo (aka Mickey), James and Erna.

Widowed in October 1946, she was also preceded in death by her Mother Eula in 1926, her Father George in 1964, her Stepmother Esther in 2000, Grandson Jake Baranosky, brother Gordon Leenerts and half brother, Thomas Leenerts and five half-sisters, Maryse Leenerts Van Ampting, Jackie Leenerts Locher, Mary Lou Leenerts Todaro, Betty Leenerts Raymond and Bonnie Leenerts Copeland.

Norma followed her nursing career in Humphrey, Neb., until 1960 when she moved her family to Des Moines, Iowa, where she was employed as a nurse by the Des Moines School District, where she retired in 1985. She and her three children spent over a decade of summers at the Boelter Camps in Annandale, Minn., where she served as the camp nurse (“Nursie”) and her children enjoyed the benefits of being campers.

In 2015 Norma relocated to St. Louis, Mo., to spend more time with family members there.

In her retirement Norma was an accomplished watercolor artist and needle pointer, leaving her family with many artistic treasures and keepsakes. These talents continue to blossom in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed swimming with friends at the Des Moines YMCA and loved to travel, often visiting family and friends. Norma always enjoyed family gatherings and joining in the card games, she loved a good game of bridge and played weekly until the pandemic restricted socializing.

Survivors:

Children: Mickey Knutson (Bill), St. Louis, Mo., Jim Baranosky, Des Moines, Iowa, Erna Taylor, Sarasota, Fla.

Grandchildren: Philip Haller (Betsy), Robert Baranosky, Laura Haller Bontty (Brad), Jeff Baranosky (Jenny), Lyndsay Taylor Ronan (John), Nicholas Taylor (Sarah), Alex Baranosky (Alice).

Great-grandchildren: Mayce Baranosky Patterson (Shane), Francis Haller, Ethan Haller, Jackson Bontty, Austin Bontty, Humphrey Taylor, John Joseph Ronan V., Thomas Ronan, Ryleigh Taylor and Otto Baranosky.

Half-Sister: Georgia Leenerts Hassebrook (Lee)

Half Brothers: Robert Leenerts (Jan), Gerald Leenerts (Gretchen deceased)

Many loving nieces and nephews.

Step-grandchildren Erik Knutson and Lindsey Daugherty, five step great-grandchildren and two step great-great grandchildren.

Memorial donations can be made to St. Francis of Assisi Church in Humphrey, Neb., or the American Red Cross.

Condolences may be sent to www.duesmanfc.com