Norma J. Bierl

Norma J. Bierl, 84, of Cedar Rapids, died Monday, June 3, 2013, at the Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, Hiawatha. Family and friends will gather from 4-6 p.m. with a memorial service at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 7, 2013, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, by Chaplain Joe Kane. Survivors include four children, Sharon Schulte of Auburn, Iowa, Barbara Grohl of Milford, Pennsylvania, Robin Bierl and Lisa Nelson, both of Cedar Rapids; eight grandchildren, Michelle and Kiere Piccininni, Jillian D'Onofrio and Kris Grohl, Travis and Cody Clark, Karly Spear and Tessa Bierl; and eight great grandchildren. Norma was born July 6, 1928, in Templeton, Iowa, the daughter of Guy and Faye (Higgins) Carpenter. On July 14, 1950, she married LaVerne Bierl in Hollywood, California. He died in 1998. Throughout her life, Norma worked as a telephone operator, Avon salesperson, J.C. Penney sales, and at Hawkeye Seed as a bookkeeper. But most importantly, she was a housekeeper and wonderful mother to her four children. Norma loved camping, boating, golf, slot machines, online backgammon, and wintering in Brownsville, Texas. She was a loving wife and mother that laughed at her mistakes and enjoyed hosting holiday family gatherings. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, LaVerne; sister, Ruth; and brothers, Kenneth and Donald. Memorials are suggested to Hospice of Mercy, c/o Mercy Foundation, 701 10th Street SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52403.