Obituaries

Norma Irene Seaton (Sparks) was born in Bedford, Iowa July 13, 1938, the middle child to Gerald C. and Celia A. (Thompson) Sparks and passed away March 27, 2018. Per Irene’s wishes, a private family service will be held at a later date.

Irene wasn’t just a Unit Clerk at Iowa Methodist Medical Center for 23 years, though she worked hard, rarely took a day off, and was incredibly proud of what she did. She was also an avid reader and movie lover, seamstress out of necessity, and a woman with an occasionally wicked sense of humor. A humor passed on to her daughters.

She spent time with her daughters as a Girl Scout troop leader, softball cheerleader and scorekeeper, and going swimming every summer. She taught them what they wanted to be, what they didn’t want to be, how to thrift, and that SALE is the best four letter word.

Irene loved her grandchildren fiercely, had tremendous amounts of patience with them (as only a grandmother can), and was always proud of them. She adored the men her daughters married and welcomed them into the family with open arms. After spending a winter with her sister in Arkansas, Irene decided to move there and stayed for five years. They went bowling (Irene read), to their own breakfast club, sewed quilts, played cards, and just enjoyed each other’s company. She moved back to Iowa last year when her health required more consistent care.

The last year of Irene’s life was filled with family, friends (old and new), stories about barns burning and motorcycle rides, and a whole lot of sass. Her wits and her wit were with her until the end. She got her bucket list items checked off with a haircut and a lobster dinner.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents, brother and two sisters, and her oldest and favorite daughter Kathleen. She is survived by her daughters Sheila (David) Siler and Teresa (Michael) Brown, her granddaughter Jordan Siler, her grandson Dalton Siler, and her sister Joyce Nikolas. Memorials in her honor can be sent to Murdock Funeral Home, 1420 Warford Street, Perry, IA, 50220 for a memorial item to be determined later for Ruby Van Meter School in Des Moines. Donations may also be sent to Easter Seals Camp Sunnyside in Iowa and national or local chapters of Down Syndrome Society, Special Olympics, or the Anxiety and Depression Society of America.