Norma Jean “Tillie” Ortega, 84, of Ankeny, Iowa (formerly Topeka, KS) passed away October 13, 2015.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m., Monday, October 19, 2015 at Penwell Gabel Midtown Chapel (1321 S.W. 10th Ave, Topeka).  A visitation will be held 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Sunday Oct. 18, also at the funeral home.

Norma was born December 15, 1930 in Huron, KS.  She graduated high school and worked as a nurse’s aide at Hiawatha and Horton Hospitals.  She married Jack Meisenheimer, and together they had 3 children.

She later moved to Topeka where she went to Nursing School, and worked as an LPN at Stormont Vail Hospital until her retirement in 2000.

In 1967 she married Paul Larson and they adopted a son. 

After Paul’s passing, she was married to Socorro “Collie” Ortega.  She enjoyed many years with “Collie” and considered his family as her own.

Norma truly was a nurse at heart.  Beyond her work, she cared for, and touched many people’s lives.  She never met a stranger.

She enjoyed dancing, fishing, Big Band & Lawrence Welk music, cooking, playing practical jokes, family get-togethers, and making others laugh.

Norma is survived by her 4 children, Thomas (Linda) Meisenheimer of Overbrook, KS; Jean (Dennis) Liberty of Ankeny, IA; Gary (Deanna) Meisenheimer of Hiawatha, KS; and Steven Larson;  9 step-children, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, 2 nieces, and her beloved dog, Buddy.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Martin and Helen Kloepper, her 3 husbands, and a sister, Eleanor Schupbach.

Memorials may be directed to New Horizons Adult Day Center, 406 S.W. School St., Ankeny, IA 50023.

Online at www.MemorialServicesOfIowa.com