Funeral services for Norman Dieleman, 76, of Pella, will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, at Covenant Reformed Church, Pella. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Pella. Visitation will be 2-6 p.m., Friday, Aug. 2, at the church with the family present 4-6 p.m. Memorials have been designated for Pella Christian Schools, Sioux Center Christian School, and Hospice of Pella - Day of Care.
Norman Lee Dieleman was born Aug. 28, 1947, the oldest son of Louis and Bernice (Jansen) Dieleman in Newton. He was raised on farms near Sully, along with his younger brother Edwin. Norm attended Sully Christian School and was a 1965 graduate of Pella Christian High School. He attended Dordt College after which he was drafted into the U.S. Army from 1968-1970, serving in Germany for most of his active duty as a chaplain’s assistant. His working career was spent at Vermeer Corporation, retiring after 54 years of service in March 2021, most of which was spent in the purchasing department.
As a young man, Norm made profession of faith at Sully Christian Reformed Church and was later a member of First Christian Reformed Church in Pella. Most recently, he was a charter member of Covenant Reformed Church in Pella where he had served as deacon and elder. Norm’s faith was at the center of his life in all things, and he passed along his love for the Lord to his children and grandchildren.
Jan. 16, 1976, he was united in marriage to Janice Kay Steenhoek. Three sons were born to this union: Brent Lee (11-21-80), Daren Reed (03-22-83), and Lance Alan (11-28-86). They raised their sons on an acreage southwest of Pella.
Norm was an avid golfer and spent many good times golfing with family and friends. In his younger years, he played fastpitch softball for many years with the Killduff team. League bowling was also a part of his life for over 50 years; he never missed a state tournament for 48 years. Norm was a devout Iowa Hawkeye fan, something he also passed on to his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed attending basketball and football games as a season ticket holder for over 45 years.
Grandchildren were his pride and joy, and he loved attending school and sporting events, as well as good family time.
Norm fought a courageous battle with stage four metastatic melanoma for the past several months and entered his heavenly home on July 27, 2024.
Those left to cherish and honor his memory are his wife Jan of 48 years; and his sons and their families: Brent (Megan) Dieleman, Kaylee Ruth, Caleb Lee, and Benjamin John of Pella, Daren (Kara) Dieleman, Leyton Reed, Carson Lee, and Grayson Kayde of Sioux Center; and Lance (Julia) Dieleman, Noah, and baby boy Dieleman due in September of Urbandale.
Norm is also survived by his mother Bernice Dieleman, mother-in-law Helen Steenhoek, brother, brothers-, and sisters-in-law Ed and Joyce Dieleman and Jaren and Cathy Steenhoek; five nephews and their families; and many extended relatives.
Those preceding him in death were his father Louis Dieleman, father-in-law Jarold Steenhoek, and granddaughter Ava Kay at four years old in 2015.
