A Memorial Service for Norman Schulenburg, 76, of Okoboji, was held Monday, December 1, 2025, at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Milford. A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held in the summer.
Norman Robert Schulenburg, the son of Robert Amond and Norma Dorothy (Beaton) Schulenburg, was born on July 11, 1949. He grew up in Greenfield, Iowa, where he graduated from Greenfield High School and later continued his education at Southwestern Community College.
Throughout his life, Norm took on numerous occupations and adventures. He worked as a bar owner, truck driver, and cable layer, with employment that included Thermogas, Kidd Construction, and most recently Ranco Fertiservice in Sioux Rapids. His work often took him on the road, but Okoboji—where he moved around 1977—was always home base.
Norm lived in Sioux Rapids, Linn Grove, Greenfield, Cherokee, and Okoboji, but it was Okoboji where he spent most of his life and built lasting friendships. He traveled extensively, including yearly trips to Mexico beginning at age 21. He especially loved spending winters in Acapulco, where he formed close relationships he considered family.
He never met a stranger and enjoyed telling his adventures to anyone who would listen. Norm was always on the move. He enjoyed boating, flying, and sharing stories of his many adventures with anyone willing to listen. In true Norm fashion, he even parachuted out of an airplane from 14,000 feet, landing on a beach in Galveston, Texas.
He was an avid follower of Iowa Hawkeye sports and a dedicated WNBA fan. He was a proud supporter of his nieces’ and nephews’ athletic events and attended their games whenever he could. Much like his parents, his greatest joy was getting together with family and friends.
Norm lived life to the fullest and entirely on his own terms. He passed away on November 22, 2025.
Those left to cherish his memory include Uncle Don Beaton, El Paso, TX; Sisters – Robin McManus, Phoenix, AZ, Norene Boyer, Irving, TX, Ronda (Gary) Martin, Holstein, IA; Nephews & Nieces – Ryan (Jade) Gamble, Soldotna, AK, Jeremy (Elizabeth) Schulenburg, Des Moines, IA, Brandon (Sophie) Boyer, Vancouver, BC, Canada, Jamie (Aliece) Martin, Des Moines, IA, Jason (Danielle) Martin, Holstein, IA, Richard (Danielle) McManus, Peoria, AZ, Josh (Coralyn) Martin, Holstein, IA; Great Nephews & Nieces – Caitlin, Becca, Kyra, Nicole, Aiden (Marah), Gage, Sophia, David, Vada, Genevieve, William, Jase, Lincoln, Ruby, Karlee, Maddison, Maverick, Marilyn; Great-Great Nephew – Westen.
Norm was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Karin Schulenburg; his brother, Richard Schulenburg, and his sister-in-law, Pat (Wetherell) Schulenburg; his niece, Renee Griffith.
Arrangements were under the care of Turner Jenness Funeral Home.
