Norma Jean Engelhardt

Norma Jean Engelhardt, 72 years young, passed away on January 12th, 2024 in Nashville, TN. She was born June 8th, 1951 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri to Norman and Helen Ueleke. She was saved by Jesus at a young age and, at 8 years old, received a calling from God to teach the visually impaired. After completing undergraduate education at Southeast Missouri State University she obtained her Master’s in Education from University of Northern Colorado. Next she accepted a position at the Tennessee School for the Blind in Nashville, Tennessee. She selected this prime location in order to be nearer to family not knowing that she would meet her future husband here.

Norma participated in many religious and charitable endeavors, including building houses with Habitat for Humanity in what is now Democratic Republic of the Congo in Africa. During a Walk to Emmaus event she encountered a handsome musician named Chuck. After finally getting her phone number, they began dating and quickly discovered it was a match made in heaven. They married July 18th, 1987 and soon started a family. They welcomed a daughter, Abigail Magdalena, in 1989 and a son, Aaron Richard, in 1995.

In addition to her teaching career, Norma continued in service to others through volunteering at church, in the teacher’s association, and in a women’s prison ministry called Better Decisions. She encouraged her children’s extracurricular endeavors becoming a dance mom for Abi, cheering Aaron on in martial arts, and attending musical concerts for each of them. She also encouraged her husband, Chuck as he pursed a career change and studied for multiple Information Technology certifications. After 40 years at Tennessee School for the Blind, Norma retired and entered a new phase of life.

Norma, who worked during her own children’s early years, took the opportunity to be a stay-at-home Grandma when her grandchildren were born, Josiah James in 2015 and Isla Dorothea in 2017. She created many meaningful memories with them, like the ones she made with her own grandmothers while growing up. Around the same time, her mother, Helen Ueleke relocated to assisted living in Nashville. When Norma wasn’t taking care of her grandchildren, she was taking care of her mother. Norma made every effort to provide quality care, comfort, and company to her mother until Helen passed away December 29th, 2019. Then in 2020, Norma and Chuck slowed down along with the rest of the world during the pandemic. They enjoyed travels together along Route 66, visits with family and friends, and welcomed another grandchild, Juliet Nicole, in 2022.

Revelation 14:12-13 says, “Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying, ‘Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Blessed indeed,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!’ Norma has certainly earned her heavenly rest and is having a sweet reunion with those saints that have gone before as well as her unborn children, Josiah, Mari, and Abraham, and her unborn grandchildren, Joseph and Charlie.

She is survived by her brother and his family, John & Margaret Ueleke, niece Mindy Fischer and family, nephew Brian Ueleke and family, her aunt Ruth Nothdurft, and many cousins. Her immediate family includes her husband Chuck Engelhardt, daughter Abigail Thomas, sons Aaron Engelhardt and Kyle Thomas, and three grandchildren, Josiah, Isla, and Juliet.

Visitation will be held on Thursday January 18, 2024 from 12-2 PM with a Funeral service to follow at 2 PM at Mt. Olivet Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Mt. Olivet Cemetery.