Norma Alice Christeleit, 85, went home to be with her Lord on Thursday, November 12, 2009, at her home located at 15054 - 290th St., Elkader, Iowa, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. Norma was born September 20, 1924, at her Grandparents Nydegger's farm near Elgin, Iowa. She was the oldest child of William and Alice (Barth) Nydegger. She attended rural schools graduating from Volga High School in 1942. During that summer she attended college at Upper Iowa University, Fayette, Iowa, receiving a teaching certificate. She taught school at Highland #9 ( Gamm & Probert) School for two years.

On June 1, 1944, Norma married Harold Christeleit at St. Sebald Lutheran Church rural Strawberry Point, Iowa. They made their home on the Christeleit family farm rural Volga. Two children were born to this union, Dennis and Diane. They moved to the rock house on the Wiedner farm in 1967, building and moving into their new home in 1977 where they resided until her death.

On February 25, 1951, Norma was baptized and confirmed in Volga becoming a member of the newly established St. Paul Lutheran Church.

Norma was a very active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church holding various offices first with the Ladies' Aid and then the Women of the ELCA serving as President at the time of her death. She taught Sunday School and Bible School many years. She was a charter member of the Volga Chit Chat Club holding various offices as well. She loved to garden, search for wildflowers, bird watch, embroidery and read. She thoroughly enjoyed attending various activities of her family whether it be music or sports.

Her family includes her husband, Harold, mother Alice Barth Nydegger Andreae of Elkader, children Dennis (Lorna) Christeleit, Volga, Diane(Randy) Wiedenman , Farmersburg, Grandchildren: Terry (Jolene) Christeleit, Elkader, Tracy (Craig) Follon, Volga, Dr. Alan Wiedenman, Brooklyn, Iowa, Jeff Wiedenman, Coralville, Iowa. Her great grandchildren, Tara Follon, Volga and William Christeleit, Elkader, two sisters Dorothy Seybert, Waukon, Darlene (William) Wilker, McGregor and her brother William (Louella) Nydegger of Napersville, IL, numerous nieces, nephews and many friends. She was preceded in death by her father, William Nydegger, step-father, Oscar Andreae, granddaughter Tammy Lynn Christeleit and brother-in-law Robert Seybert.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Volga or the Volga Public Library.