A funeral service for Norma Martens, of Spirit Lake, will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Spirit Lake. Burial will be on Thursday at 2:30 PM at Westfork Township Cemetery in Climbing Hill, Iowa.
Norma Jean Schwarz was born in Sioux City, Iowa, on January 24, 1930, to Henry A. and Ann E. (Stolley) Schwarz of Moville, Iowa. She passed away peacefully at Lakes Regional Healthcare on February 26, 2026.
She grew up on a farm near Moville and graduated from Climbing Hill High School in 1948. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church in Climbing Hill. In later years, she was a member of First Lutheran Church in Kingsley, Iowa, and Immanuel Lutheran Church in Spirit Lake, Iowa. She taught Sunday School and Bible School, and she was a member of the First Lutheran Women’s Circle and Immanuel’s Lutheran Women’s League.
Norma was united in marriage to W.D. Martens on August 11, 1948, at St. John Lutheran Church in Climbing Hill. They lived on a farm south of Moville, where they raised their family. After retirement, they moved to Spirit Lake, where they enjoyed living along the lake.
She was a hospice and hospital auxiliary volunteer, delivered Meals on Wheels, and drove cancer patients to treatments. She was a member of Lamplighters, Okoboji Women’s Club, RSVP, Camp Okoboji Women’s Auxiliary, Spirit Lake Library, and the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League.
Norma was well known and respected for her beautiful cakes for all occasions, especially weddings. In addition to her cake decorating business, she taught decorating classes and gave demonstrations for Wilton; this career spanned decades. After retiring, she was honored to be asked to judge decorated cakes at the Clay County Fair in Spencer, Iowa.
She and W.D. restored Moville Township’s Lily of the Valley Country School, which they relocated to their farm. This school was later given to the Cherokee County Fairgrounds and created a living history center for children and adults to appreciate Iowa’s educational heritage.
Some of Norma’s pastimes included quilting, painting with watercolors and oils, reading, and fishing. She also enjoyed the winters spent at Mustang Island with W.D.
She was preceded in death by her husband, W.D.; sons, W. David, Marty, and Rick; her parents; brother, Hank Schwarz; infant sister, Marjorie; and sister, Marnis Petersen.
Survivors include her daughter, Annie (Greg) Ver Heul of Viborg, SD; daughter-in-law, Karen Martens of Seward, NE; four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; and her sister, Mary Wichelt of Cozad, NE.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Parkinson’s Foundation, the American Cancer Society, or Mission Central.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Zach Borus and to all those who cared for her over the years.
Norma will be greatly missed.
Arrangements are under the care of Turner Jenness Funeral Homes.
