IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Norma Jean
Ohlau
July 21, 1929 – April 24, 2018
Obituary
PERCY – Norma Jean Ohlau, 88, passed away at 1:55 p.m. Tuesday, April 24, 2018, at her home.
Norma Jean was born July 21, 1929, in Willisville, the daughter of Henry J. and Nellie (Steele) Behnken.
She married Elmer Ohlau on June 20, 1948, in Campbell Hill, and they shared nearly 44 years of marriage before his death April 1, 1992.
Norma Jean was a homemaker and hard-working farm wife. She operated equipment, milked cows and fed livestock. She fed baby pigs with a baby bottle and teaspoon, even getting up in the middle of the night to do so.
She was an active member of St. John's Lutheran Church - Post Oak in Campbell Hill. She served in the alter guild, choir, church council and taught Sunday school. A talented quilter, Norma Jean made countless items for family and friends and helped organize the church's annual quilt raffle. She was also a former member of the Jackson County Home Extension.
She was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan and enjoyed attending her grandchildren's sporting events until she was no longer able.
As a child, Norma Jean spent much of her time playing with her cousins and later shared amusing stories about them chasing her with snakes. That group remained close and regularly met for lunch until recent years.
Her family is her greatest legacy. Many years ago, she began a tradition of hosting Sunday lunch with her family. That tradition continues today.
Norma Jean is survived by her brother, Richard Behnken of Steeleville; her children, Rodney Ohlau and Jerry (Joyce) Ohlau, all of Percy; seven grandchildren, Melissa (Marty) Wettig of Campbell Hill, Kevin Ohlau of Carbondale, Heather (Colt) Lee of Murphysboro, Jessica (John) Kranawetter of Campbell Hill, Jill (Jeff) Wilson of Murphysboro, Jodie (Adam) Carey of Springfield and Jeanna (Jason) Hammel of Campbell Hill; and 13 great-grandchildren Mitchell and Megan Wettig of Campbell Hill, Brooks and Weston Lee of Murphysboro, Jade and Jackson Kranawetter of Campbell Hill, Jacey and Jacob Wilson of Murphysboro, Jemma, Josslyn and Jules Carey of Springfield and Jayla and Jase Hammel of Campbell Hill.
She was preceded in death by her husband and parents.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, April 27, at St. John's Lutheran Church - Post Oak in Campbell Hill, with the Rev. Debra Rathert officiating. Burial will follow at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery in Campbell Hill. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 26, at Wilson's Funeral Home in Steeleville and from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Friday at the funeral home and 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Memorials may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church Memorial Fund.
Norma Jean was born July 21, 1929, in Willisville, the daughter of Henry J. and Nellie (Steele) Behnken.
She married Elmer Ohlau on June 20, 1948, in Campbell Hill, and they shared nearly 44 years of marriage before his death April 1, 1992.
Norma Jean was a homemaker and hard-working farm wife. She operated equipment, milked cows and fed livestock. She fed baby pigs with a baby bottle and teaspoon, even getting up in the middle of the night to do so.
She was an active member of St. John's Lutheran Church - Post Oak in Campbell Hill. She served in the alter guild, choir, church council and taught Sunday school. A talented quilter, Norma Jean made countless items for family and friends and helped organize the church's annual quilt raffle. She was also a former member of the Jackson County Home Extension.
She was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan and enjoyed attending her grandchildren's sporting events until she was no longer able.
As a child, Norma Jean spent much of her time playing with her cousins and later shared amusing stories about them chasing her with snakes. That group remained close and regularly met for lunch until recent years.
Her family is her greatest legacy. Many years ago, she began a tradition of hosting Sunday lunch with her family. That tradition continues today.
Norma Jean is survived by her brother, Richard Behnken of Steeleville; her children, Rodney Ohlau and Jerry (Joyce) Ohlau, all of Percy; seven grandchildren, Melissa (Marty) Wettig of Campbell Hill, Kevin Ohlau of Carbondale, Heather (Colt) Lee of Murphysboro, Jessica (John) Kranawetter of Campbell Hill, Jill (Jeff) Wilson of Murphysboro, Jodie (Adam) Carey of Springfield and Jeanna (Jason) Hammel of Campbell Hill; and 13 great-grandchildren Mitchell and Megan Wettig of Campbell Hill, Brooks and Weston Lee of Murphysboro, Jade and Jackson Kranawetter of Campbell Hill, Jacey and Jacob Wilson of Murphysboro, Jemma, Josslyn and Jules Carey of Springfield and Jayla and Jase Hammel of Campbell Hill.
She was preceded in death by her husband and parents.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, April 27, at St. John's Lutheran Church - Post Oak in Campbell Hill, with the Rev. Debra Rathert officiating. Burial will follow at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery in Campbell Hill. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 26, at Wilson's Funeral Home in Steeleville and from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Friday at the funeral home and 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Memorials may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church Memorial Fund.
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