A memorial service will be held Aug. 12 at Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home in Jefferson for Norma Milligan, 86, of Jefferson.
Commissioned pastor Wendy Pittman of First Presbyterian Church will offer words of comfort. Soloist will be Gary Haupert, accompanied by Cheryl Nailor.
Norma Jean Milligan, a longtime Jefferson resident, passed away June 16, 2021 at the age of 86, in Kingwood, Texas, following a short illness.
Norma was born July 6, 1934 in Jamaica, IA, to Fred and Fonnie (Carson) Stanley. She was one of their nine children raised in Herndon during the hard times of The Great Depression. Norma graduated from Jamaica High School.
Norma was married to Jerome (Dan) Whalen. They were the parents of four children: JD, Stan, Mary, and Pat. They later were divorced.
In 1963, Norma and her children moved to Jefferson. To better provide for her young family, Norma continued her education, attending nursing classes in Carroll where she received her LPN. She began her nursing career at Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson, working first in the surgery department and later in the outpatient/ER area. She then worked at McFarland Clinic until her retirement.
On February 23, 1972, Norma married Robert Milligan of Jefferson. He was the love of her life. Norma and Bob enjoyed time with family and friends. Special memories were made at the lake home on Lake Panorama. They made some memorable trips abroad and also completed RAGBRAI together, twice.
Norma continued to make her home in Jefferson after Bob’s death in 1983. In 2014 she moved to The Gardens retirement community with her beloved Shih Tzu, Bella. Family was very important to Norma. In 2019 she moved to Texas to be close to her two children and their families.
Norma was a good friend and neighbor in her workplace, her church, and her community. She knew no strangers, making connections to people wherever she was. Her hugs were her signature, whether in greeting, celebration, compassion, or in farewell. Hugs to you always, Norma.
Norma was preceded in death by her husband Robert Milligan; parents Fred and Fonnie Stanley; sons Stan and Pat; her sister Dorothy; and brothers Vernon, Vincent, John, Paul, Norma’s twin brother who died in infancy, Norman Jay, and Orville who died at 1 year of age.
Norma is survived by her son J.D. (Sandra) Whalen and daughter Mary Lehman, all of Texas; sister Esther Clouse of Panora; stepchildren John (Kathy )Milligan of Jefferson, Marty Fletcher of California, and Ann Rohovit of Arizona; 10 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; other relatives and many friends.
