Norma Jean (Hansen) Schlekeway, age 90, peacefully left this world to join the Lord and her beloved husband on Sunday, March 9, 2025, just the way she lived her life: burdening no one and on her own terms.

Norma was born May 7, 1934, in Aberdeen, SD, to Carl and Nettena (Tena) (Peterson) Hansen. She grew up as the youngest of seven siblings in a big old house across the road from Melgaard Park in Aberdeen. Tena inspired her children to lead with love and set an example for them as an active member of her church and by feeding the homeless on the family home's backsteps during the Great Depression. The children learned the value of hard work and dedication from Carl, lessons each of them took to heart in their own lives. Norma began her life's mission of taking care of others during high school by driving classmates around in her old car. She and her lifelong friends had priceless adventures that Norma loved to tell, laughing the whole time. She graduated from Aberdeen Central in 1952. Norma soon met a handsome Northern State College student athlete who worked with her mother in the school's cafeteria. Norma and Eugene (Gene) Schlekeway (Schlek) were married and became life partners in 1955.

During the early days of their marriage, the couple moved frequently for Gene's teaching and coaching positions. Along the way, they added five beautiful children to their family and in 1968 settled in their forever home in Spearfish, SD. Norma immersed herself into the Spearfish community by joining Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Black Hills State College Faculty Wives, bridge clubs, and her beloved Ten Sisters Birthday Club. Through these organizations, Norma made so many friends and impacted lives too numerous to count. Norma became a non-traditional college student when she attended Black Hills State College and earned her Bachelor of Science in Education in 1973. She went on to teach at West Elementary School for 22 years. During her teaching career she set the bar high for her students, inspiring them to reach beyond their expectations. She did so with kindness, love, fun, and her quick wit. Her students flourished in her classroom, and she was so proud of them all.

Norma disliked the spotlight, but her presence was apparent the minute she walked in a room. She made immediate friends of strangers and had a knack for making everyone feel like they were the most special person on Earth. She had a birthday list a mile long and gave cards, lottery tickets, Schlek's hand-tied hangers, or jelly to them all. Norma went the extra mile for everyone, and everyone considered themselves lucky to know her.

After retirement, Norma and Schlek traveled the country and fished up a storm on the mighty Missouri. She made friends everywhere she went by cooking a homemade meal or playing cards and other games. She radiated life with her quick laugh and her beautiful, mischievous twinkle in her eye. She was a people magnet! She lived with the spirit of a teenager and never really grew old on the inside, which transcended to a most beautiful outside. Norma was a gem truly loved and honored by all she met. Though her passing leaves a hole in our hearts, she is now where she belongs, making the stars shine in Heaven alongside Coach Schlek, her beloved husband of 70 short years.

She is survived by her five children: sons Jack of Broken Arrow, OK; Bryan (Nelda) of Keota, OK; and Gary (Genevieve) of Gillette, WY; and daughters Jeanne (Michael) Brown of Sioux Falls, SD; and Karen Schlekeway (Marshall Graves) of Belle Fourche, SD. She will be missed by 10 grandchildren: Scott, Delila, Katrina, Ashley, Will, Keifer, Sarah, Caleb, Camden and Emelyn; five great grandchildren: Tanner, Bryer, Jenley, Jentry, and Tripp; and her sister-in-law Nedra Keller Hansen and her beloved brother-in-law Harold Kirchgasler.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband Gene Schlekeway, her brothers Howard (Cecelia) Hansen, Donald Hansen and her sisters Eleanor (Red) Janisse, Helen (Jim) Lewis, Pearl (Chuck) Parks, and Alice Kirchgasler.

There will be no funeral service per Norma's request. Her family is hosting a Celebration of Life on Tuesday, March 18, 4-8pm at BHSU Joy Center. Please join them to remember Norma and the joy she brought to all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, Norma requested memorial donations be sent to Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Heartland Home Health, or to the Gene Schlekeway Scholarship at BHSU.