Norrell Clarice Uhlenhopp was born the daughter of Claus and Cornelia (Harken) DeBerg, March 7, 1939, in rural Shell Rock, Iowa. At the age of 3, she moved with her family to rural Ackley, Iowa. She attended school in Ackley and graduated in 1957.
On October 5, 1957, Norrell was united in marriage to Merle Uhlenhopp, the love of her life, at the First Presbyterian Church in Ackley, Iowa. The lived their entire married life in Aplington. She worked at the Lunch Box Café, Kenim Rambler, Aplington Sale Barn and for 29 years worked at the Aplington School as a kindergarten aid and custodian before retiring in June 1999.
Norrell was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Aplington. She enjoyed cooking for her family and anyone who stopped by for Sunday dinners. She enjoyed flowers, reading, camping in Greene and Decorah and spending time with her grandchildren. She will be remembered for her welcoming, friendly personality and love she shared.
Norrell passed away, June 13, 2026, at Maple Manor Village in Aplington from natural causes. She is preceded in death by her parents; a son, Lance Uhlenhopp; three brothers Dewayne (Delores) DeBerg, Newlyn DeBerg, Willard DeBerg; brothers-in-laws, Marv Ellingson, Donald (Lois) Uhlenhopp, Marlin Pruin, Melvin Uhlenhopp and sister-in-law Joyce Miller.
Norell is survived by her husband of 68 years, Merle Uhlenhopp; a daughter, Tamara (Larry) Foxworthy of Dike, Iowa; a son Jason Uhlenhopp of Kesley; a daughter-in-law, Lynette Uhlenhopp of Aplington; six grandchildren, Taryn (Evan) Stahl, Trista (Brian) Wolff, Ashley (Nick) Biersner, Austin (Emily) Uhlenhopp, Danielle Fenchel and Bailey (Dalton) Henze; seven great- grandchildren, Colton Wolff, Elliana Biersner, Brynley Biersner, Wyatt Hippen, Jayde Fenchel, Kacey Henze and Charlotte Uhlenhopp; one sister, Corliss Ellingson of Austin, Minnesota, two brothers, Trenton (Sharryl) DeBerg of Ackley and Terrill (Shirley) DeBerg of Ackley and sisters-in-laws, Darlene DeBerg of Ackley, and Pat DeBerg of Iowa Falls.
Funeral Service will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 22, 2026, at the Aplington Evangelical Presbyterian Church with burial at Pleasant View Cemetery, both of Aplington.
Visitation will be Sunday from 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m., at the Redman Funeral & Cremation Services – Aplington Chapel and one hour before services.
Memorials may be directed to the family.
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