Norma Elaine Grinstead

Norma Elaine (Sorensen) Grinstead died on March 2, 2024, at Copper Shores Villages in Pleasant Hill, Iowa with family by her side. She was born to Harry and Valborg (Clausen) Sorensen in a farm house, nestled in the hilly countryside outside of Kimballton, Iowa, a place that resembled their native Danish homeland.

During World War II, the family moved to San Diego, California where Norma and her three sisters made memories by the sea, touring the mountains and buying fresh orange juice at roadside stands. It was in California that her mother died too soon, when Norma was only 11 years old. This hardship at a young age impressed a strong sense of compassion and love of family. Norma’s family was her world.

Returning to Des Moines with her family, Norma finished school and met her husband, John Grinstead, at Des Moines Technical High School graduating in 1952. She married John on January 27, 1952 and from this marriage, three daughters and a son were born.

Norma flourished and nurtured her children instilling a love for art and music. Being born at the eve of the great depression, she knew modest means but was never compromising on quality and found the loveliness in everyday life. As a pianist, she taught her children true beauty in the form of classical music and taking art classes for years, she became an accomplished artist in oil paint and pastels.

A graduate of Iowa State’s Master Gardner program, Norma was a horticulturalist and had incredible skill nurturing the gardens surrounding her Runnells home, volunteering in public gardens and keeping house plants in full bounty for decades upon decades. She believed that in a garden, you were nearer to God’s heart than anywhere else on earth.

Norma enjoyed knitting, sewing and photography. Of all her hobbies, and like her mother, none were more beloved than her passion for Arabian horses. She shared this love of horsemanship with all her daughters. She taught her children and grandchildren how to care for all creatures, domestic and wild, with love and respect.

At Grant Park Christian Church, followed by the Runnells Christian Church, Norma played many roles as Sunday School teacher, church choir member and was president of the Christian Women’s Fellowship. She was also very involved in Eastern Star at Eastgate Masonic Lodge.

As an accomplished chef, Norma enjoyed making Danish treats like puff pastry and ebelskivers, her cinnamon rolls were legendary. She loved to host Thanksgiving meals for dozens followed by a traditional clay pigeon skeet shoot.

Above all, Norma was never happier than when she was surrounded by family, especially her children and grandchildren. She shared her many talents with them. She made sure they learned the different birds that frequented the bird feeders. She took them walking in the woods behind her home. She had swings, sandboxes, and soccer balls for outdoor play, and board games, tricycles and stilts for indoor play in the basement. Norma created beauty and loveliness through her talents and presence in this world. She will be sorely missed by so many.

Norma was preceded in death by her mother, father and sister, Erma (Sorensen) Fouts. She is survived by her husband of 72 years, John, daughters Linda (Jim) Newsom, Susan (Bill) Milliken, Geri (Kevin) Seiberling, son Jason (Mary) Grinstead and sister Lois Foll. Norma and John have ten grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. John currently resides at Copper Shores Villages.

Memorial contributions in Norma’s honor may be made to the Runnells Christian Church.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Sunday, March 17, 2024 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Funeral service will begin at 1:00 p.m., Monday, March 18, 2024 also at the funeral home followed by burial at Powers Warren Cemetery, Runnells.

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