Norma Jean (Bettger) Penner, 88, of Sterling passed away unexpectedly, Thursday, May 16, 2024. Viewing will be held from 1:00 – 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 21, at Chaney-Reager Funeral Home with family receiving friends from 4 – 6:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held at 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 22 at Trinity Lutheran Church with Reverend James R. Nash officiating. Norma will be laid to rest at Riverside Cemetery.

Norma was born on July 2, 1935, on a farm outside Iliff, CO to Oscar and Leona Bettger.  She attended Iliff Elementary School from the 1st through 3rd grade until the family moved to a farm near Sterling.  She attended Lincoln Elementary, Sterling Junior High, and graduated from Sterling Senior High in 1953.  Norma belonged to the National Honor Society and the Journalism Club while in high school.

One of her fond memories from childhood was a Bible her grandfather gave her.  He took her faithfully to the Congregational Church where she was later confirmed.

During her childhood, Norma helped with field work, including weeding and harvesting sugar beets, along with the rest of her family.  She also worked on Saturdays at the Woolworth Department store during her senior year of high school.

Upon graduation, Norma went to work for Security State Bank as a proof operator.  Norma met the love of her life, Mel, at a dance in Peetz, Colorado on September 17, 1955 (Mel's birthday).  After a year's courtship they were married on September 23, 1956.  During their courtship, Norma moved from Sterling to Gering, Nebraska, and began working as a proof operator at the First State Bank of Scottsbluff.  After their marriage, Mel and Norma lived in Scottsbluff until Mel was drafted into the US Army.

Norma followed Mel to California for his basic training, and lived with Mel's parents in Fresno, California.  There she worked at the Coca Cola Bottling Plant as a bookkeeper.  The couple moved to Germany for Mel's deployment, returning to Chappell, Nebraska to farm once Mel's tour with the Army was over.  They moved once again in 1966 to Sterling where Norma took care of the home and raised her two boys, Dave and Troy.  In June of 1978, Norma embarked on another career adventure when she joined Hi-Line Electric Company, managing the Sterling office for 34 years, until her retirement.

Norma spent her remaining years enjoying time with, and taking care of Mel, until his death in 2018.  Norma always enjoyed cooking for family, doing crafts, and watching her grandchildren, and now great grandchildren grow up.

Norma was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Sterling since the family's move in 1966.  She served in numerous volunteer capacities including Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher, Treasurer, and helping provide food for various events.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Mel, brothers Mel, Gil & Duane Bettger, and granddaughter Amber Penner.

Norma is survived by her brother Larry Bettger of Sterling; son Dave (Pat); son Troy (Chris): grandsons Eric (Aimé), Kevin (Allie), great granddaughters Amber, Audrey, and Aurora; step grandsons Robert, Aaron (Megan); step granddaughters April and Tina; step great grandson Robby; and step great granddaughters Kaarina, Rachel, Joslynn, and Alaina.

Contributions can be made in Norma's name to Trinity Lutheran Church, 732 Clark St., Sterling, CO 80751.