Norma Jean Fuentes, 89, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 12, in her home surrounded by her loving children and grandchildren. A visitation will be held at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel, 6200 Morningside Ave, Sioux City, IA 51106, on August 16, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The funeral service will follow at the same location on August 17, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. with Chaplain Richard Cogan of St. Croix Hospice officiating. A burial service will be held at Logan Park Cemetery, 3901 Stone Park Blvd, Sioux City, IA 51103.

In the weeks leading up to her passing, Norma’s health had been declining and has spent time at Unity Point Health before being moved to her home to be cared for by her family. Her family doted on her and made her feel comfortable every second up until her final moments.

Norma was born June 8, 1937, in Onawa, Iowa to William and Edna (Lundy) Linton. Norma married Javier Fuentes on January 9, 1961. Together they would raise eight children, Earl, Diane, Cheryl, Dolores, Nancy, Monica, Gary, and Jennifer.

Norma decided to enlist in the army and was ranked as private first class, serving from 1955 to 1957. Years later she started working in healthcare, starting out as an LPN while advancing to get her RN degree. She eventually found her passion as a mental health nurse. She worked at St. Joseph Mercy in the psych unit and in the emergency, room working as an intake coordinator for Dr. Dean Psychiatry Siouxland Mental Health. Norma later worked part time at Shester Hall of Sioux City helping homeless women with chronic mental illness. Through Norma’s professional career she touched many hearts and mentored others to become mental health nurses as she was.

Her professional excellence was formally recognized in 2002 when she was awarded Social Worker of the Year in Iowa. Norma was able to raise eight children, often working overnight shifts while also attending nursing school during the day. She was especially proud of raising and supporting her children, guiding them towards their achievements.

At home, Norma was known for her warm hospitality and love of cooking and baking, especially for her grandchildren. She was a resilient lady with a phenomenal work ethic. She delighted in family camping trips, particularly making hobo meals over the fire. Norma enjoyed answering trivia and fun fact questions, tackling crossword puzzles, and savoring a good cup of coffee paired with a piece of pie. Television westerns were among her favorites, with fondness for shows such as Andy Griffith and Leave it to Beaver, as well as classics featuring John Wayne, Matt Dillon, and Clint Eastwood.

Norma was the kind of lady who loved knee slapping jokes but had a very matter of fact personality with a quiet reserve. Her legacy as a pioneer in the mental health field and her many contributions continue to influence those who had the privilege of knowing her.

She is survived by her children, Earl Fuentes of Granbury, TX; Diane Sweat of Dakota Dunes, SD; Cheryl (Scott) Moss of Sun City, AZ; Dolores (David) Guest of Sioux City; Nancy (Brian) Gustavson of Sioux City; Monica (Troy) Waldon of Dakota Dunes, SD; Gary (Erika) Fuentes of Sioux City; and Jennifer (Constantine) Fuentes of Sioux City. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Katherine Hahn, Jacque Pike, T.R. McKenzie, Montana McKenzie, Kilie Guest, Halen Gustavson, Michael Gustavson, Annamarie Gustavson, Quentin Allen, Antonio Fuentes, Ashley Fuentes, Javier Fuentes, Mitchel Lewon, and Sarah Slagle; great-grandchildren, Xavia McKenzie, L’Wren McKenzie, Finley McKenzie, Rosemary McKenzie, Trenton Fuentes, Lydia Hahn, Linea Pike, Katie Pike, Anderson Pike, Margot Pike, Andres Fuentes, Nia Fuentes, and Jace Greer; and one great-great-grandchild, Bennett Fuentes.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Javier Fuentes; her parents, William and Edna (Lundy) Linton; her siblings, Eileen, Dolly, Joyce, Darrell, and Donna; and her son-in-law, Bill Sweat.