Norma Dannen

Norma Jean (Strever) Dannen, age 89, of Marshalltown, Iowa, passed away peacefully on the morning of March 7, 2026 at Westbrook Acres in Gladbrook, Iowa surrounded by her loving family.

Norma Jean Strever was born December 25, 1936 in Clarion, Iowa. She was the child of John and Melvine (Shake) Strever. She attended schools in Clarion, Webster City, Ames and Marshalltown where she graduated in 1955. She went on to college at Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls completing a two-year certificate. Later she returned to UNI and finished her degree in 1974. She taught a total of 30 years, finishing the last 22 years at Marshalltown Area Catholic Schools teaching 4th grade at St. Mary's.

Norma met and married Max Dean Dannen on June 9, 1958. Their first year of marriage was spent in Hawaii as Max served in the Army. Norma was proud of the fact knowing they were living there when Hawaii became the 50th state.

Norma was a member of the First Congregational Church where she served on several boards and was extremely proud of her congregational heritage. She was a board member of the Central Iowa Arts Association and was the first board president at the Village Co-Operative which she served three terms. She volunteered at the local hospitals, did meals on wheels, mentored a young student for several years and cooked at House of Compassion.

Norma was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years and love of her life, Max and her parents, John and Melvine Strever. She is survived by her brother John (Helen) Strever; her children, James Dean (Mary) Dannen, Joel David (Kirsten) Dannen and Jill Diane (David) Stanton; grandchildren, Josh (Tiffany) Stanton, Jake Dannen, Kryanna (Brett) Nussbaum, Rachel (Scott) Rigdon, Zach (Ashley) Dannen, Julie (AJ) Fitzgerald, Jeff (Abbey) Stanton, and Tyler (Mikayla) Stanton; and her 17 great-grandchildren, Maximus, Ellie, Tidus, Josiah, Evie, Brenna, Myles, Abby, Adriel, Benny, Cole, Soren, Mackenzie, Mila, Teo, Rory, and soon to be born baby girl Stanton.

Memorial services for Norma will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the First Congregational Church in Marshalltown beginning at 11:00 A.M. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 9:00 A.M. until service time. She will be laid to rest in a private family ceremony at the Eden Cemetery in Rhodes, Iowa by her beloved husband Max. Memorials in Norma’s name may be directed to her family for a later designation. For additional information or to send a condolence to the family, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234.