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Norma Irene Wignall Klaas, 86, Rhodes

Norma Klaas, 86, of Rhodes, passed away in the house where she was born in Rhodes, IA on June 28, 2020. 

Funeral services will be Thursday, July 2nd at 10:30 A.M. at Mitchell Family Funeral Home and burial at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens in Marshalltown immediately after.  The visitation will be Wednesday, July 1st at 5:00-7:00 P.M. at Mitchell Family Funeral Home.  With questions or to share a condolence, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234.  

Norma was born on April 5, 1934 to William B. Wignall Jr. and Edna (Spencer) in Rhodes, IA.  Attending Rhodes school, she graduated in 1951.  She went on to attend AIB Business School. 

On March 7, 1954, Norma married Merlin Klaas.  Together they raised their four children.

Norma and Merlin farmed their entire life.  Norma also worked at Cissy’s II in State Center and Donnelly Marketing in Nevada, IA. 

She was president two times of the Iowa Kate Shelley Doll Club, Chairman of the Rhodes Centennial Cookbook Committee and a member of the Women’s Methodist Church Guild, West Marshall Booster Club and Rhodes Little League.

Norma enjoyed going to Canada fishing with Merlin.  She loved to sew and made many quilts.  They collected Beanie Babies for years and dolls.

Left to cherish her memory are: her loving husband, Merlin; her children Karen (Jim) Hart of Kiowa, CO, Dave (Jan) Klaas of State Center, Mark Klaas of Lexington, KY, and Dan (Sarah) Klaas of Indianola, IA; 11 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren and 2 on the way.

Norma is preceded in death by: her parents, William and Edna; her brothers Robert “Bob” Wignall and Harlan Wignall; and her sister Juanita Gibbs.

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