Norma Jane Needham

Norma Jane passed away peacefully on September 22, 2025. She was born in Denison, Iowa in April of 1925, and grew up in the neighboring town of Schleswig. Her parents were Clara and Wesley Hess. After graduating from high school in Schleswig, she attended Drake University and earned a BFA degree. While at Drake, she was a proud member of Delta Gamma Sorority and Zeta Phi Eta, a speech arts organization. After graduation she was a teacher for a short time in Bayard, Iowa and Windsor Day School, a private school in Des Moines.

While at Drake University, she met Tom Westrope and after graduation they were married and enjoyed their family of three children. She later returned to Drake University and earned a Master’s degree in Education. She was a guidance counselor for various Des Moines, Iowa high schools for 24 years.

Later in life, she married Richard Needham and they enjoyed many years of traveling to various places of interest in the United States and many European countries.

After Richard‘s death in 2001, she pursued new interests volunteering at Living History Farms and Iowa Public Television, bridge, gardening and joining social groups. She was at one time a member of Urbandale Garden Club, PEO, Questers, La Sertoma and various bridge groups. Norma’s interests also included reading, decorating, and family gatherings.

Norma’s three children and their families were her proudest legacy. She was proceeded in death by her parents, her husband, Richard, a brother, Robert, and a son, David. She will be truly missed by her children, Susan Halferty, Tom Westrope Jr. (Laurie), daughter-in-law Stacie and a brother Jerry Hess (Jan). Norma had many nieces, nephews and grandchildren. Her grandchildren were Brad Halferty (Amy), Cindy Johnson (Joe), Abbie Wood (Brandon), Ben Westrope (Nikki), and Taylor Westrope. Norma had nine great-grandchildren, Alyssa, Olivia (Foster) and Nicholas Halferty, Brynlee and Baylor Wood, Lauren, Brooklyn and Caleb Westrope and Kai Westrope. She was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Services were private. Donations may be made to Planned Parenthood or Westminster Presbyterian Church. Burial was on September 26 at McLarens Resthaven Cemetery and a Celebration of Life is fourth coming. Norma will be truly missed.