Norman Lee "Norm" Stevens 87, of Beatrice passed away at Bryan West Hospice Unit on Tuesday, January 31, 2023.   Norm was born on May 12, 1935 in Omaha to Walter and Eva (Prussa) Stevens.  He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend.  He never met a stranger, loved everyone he met, and everyone loved him. Norm graduated with the class of 1953 from Technical High School in Omaha.  He was united in marriage to Claris Holck on October 27, 1963 in Paullina, Iowa.  They spent 59 years of love and marriage together.  They were blessed with three children, James Lee, Allan Lee. and Marcia Lea.

 

Norm and Claris spent 18 years in Omaha where Norm owned Ernie's Tavern in Benson and later ran a milk route for Meadow Gold in Council Bluffs, Iowa. In 1981 the family moved to Beatrice.  For many winters after his retirement in 2001 from Meadow Gold, he worked at ExMark.   Norm was a proud member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aeries 154 and 531 where he served as president for three years and was inducted into the Eagles Hall of Fame.  

 

Norm was an avid fisherman and hunter and spent many days fishing with his family and hunting with his son and dad.  He was his kids' number one fan, never missing one of their events.  He and Claris spent their Golden Years traveling and especially loved pulling their camper to visit National Parks.  They also spent many of their summer days camping and shared this love with their grandkids hitting the swimming holes at the lakes and getting ice cream cones.  The highlight of each summer was their annual camping trip with the grandkids to Adventureland or Worlds of Fun.  Lyndie could always talk him into a roller coaster ride.  

 

On January 23, 2020 Norm beamed with pride when he became Great Grandpa to Jakey who he referred to as My Jakey Boy.  They shared a special bond.  Grandpa loved giving him rides on his walker and Jakey loved the rides just as much.  Spooky, Tippy, and Amber were his beloved dogs and filled his life with joy.  Stormin’ Norman was a sweet man with a little ornery streak who will be greatly missed.

 

Survivors include his loving wife, Claris of Beatrice; son, James Stevens of Beatrice; daughter, Marcia Van Ness (Troy Weinberger) of Glenwood, IA; granddaughters, Brianna (Tyler) Jensen of Glenwood, IA, Lyndie Van Ness (Aaron Syverson) of Des Moines, IA; grandson, Cade Van Ness of Glenwood, IA; great-grandson, Jakenn Jensen of Glenwood, IA; special lifelong friend, Donna Nelson of Nappanee, IN. He is preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Eva Stevens; son, Allan Lee Stevens; brother, Eugene Stevens; sister and brother-in-law, Ida Mae (Micki) and Raymond Tomasello Sr.; son-in-law, Jerry Van Ness; parents-in-law, LeRoy and Helen Holck; and special lifelong friend, Jerry Nelson.  

 

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 P.M. on Friday, February 10, 2023 at Christ Community Church of Beatrice with Pastor Jack Magness officiating. A family prayer service will be held at 2:15 P.M. on Friday at the church. Cremation will follow the service. Visitation will be held at the Fox Funeral Home on Thursday, February 9, 2023 from 10:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M. with the family greeting relatives and friends from 6:00 P.M. until 7:30 P.M. A memorial has been established to the family for future designation. www.foxfuneralhome.net  Arrangements entrusted to Fox Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Beatrice.