Obituary of Norma Rogers

Norma Rogers, 62, of Las Vegas, passed away on Friday, October 10, 2008, having lost a courageous battle with cancer, but on her own terms: at home and in the presence of her loving family. Norma Jean Pietens, daughter of Clarence and Evelyn (Schneider) Pietens, was born on a farm near Archer on January 19, 1946. While still in her teens, her family moved to her grandparents' farm near Baker Methodist Church, where Norma was confirmed and where she later held church membership. She was a student at Archer School until its closing and then transferred to Sheldon High School, graduating with the class of 1964. Following graduation, Norma attended Northwestern College in Orange City, and then worked in the business office of Wolf's Department Store in Sheldon. As a homemaker and young mother in the late 1960's, Norma and her family lived in various Nebraska communities, finally moving to Norfolk, where she proudly watched her children graduate from high school. Through the years, Norma's top priority was to provide a stable and loving environment for her children, yet she was also able to enjoy a career outside the home as a licensed real estate agent, and later as partner and co-owner of a real estate agency. While living in Norfolk, Norma met her soul-mate and best friend, Terry Rogers, and they were married in Honolulu, HI. In 1995, when Terry retired as a Nebraska State Trooper, they moved to Las Vegas where they built their home, and where Norma enjoyed several successful years as a design consultant and salesperson for a national home furnishing company. Norma was preceded in death by her father, Clarence Pietens, in September 1999 and her mother, Evelyn Pietens, in October 2007. She is survived by her husband Terry Rogers; her son Clark (Anita) Sybesma of League City, TX; her daughter Jill (Brian) Klinger of Las Vegas, NV; three grandchildren: Emma Sybesma and Kate and Trent Klinger; a brother Brad (Linda) Pietens of DeKalb, IL; a niece Anne (Matt) Vosmik of Aurora, IL; a nephew Todd (Julia) Pietens-Rain of Agana, Guam; three stepsons: Steve Rogers of Minneapolis, MN, Bruce Rogers of Littleton, CO, and Brian (Sarah) Rogers of Corpus Christie, TX, and three step-grandchildren, Jonathon, A.J. and Cami Rogers. She is also survived by many other relatives, including two special cousins, George (Evonne) Schneider of Sheldon and Warren (Joann) Hulst of Chula Vista, CA. A private service for family and friends has already occurred in Nevada. A memorial service will be held at the Archer United Methodist Church at 1:00 PM on Monday, October 27th. Norma's husband Terry, along with her children Clark and Jill, and her brother Brad, all extend the hope that many family friends from the community will join them in this celebration of Norma's life. Interment of ashes will be in the family burial plot at Pleasant Hill Cemetery at Primghar. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Norma's name to the United Methodist Church of Archer.