Norma Mae (Steger) Apel, 94, of Dubuque, Iowa, was welcomed into her Lord’s loving arms on May 5, 2026.

Public visitation will be held at Nativity Church, 1225 Alta Vista St., in Dubuque, Iowa, on May 15th beginning at 9 a.m. followed by her funeral mass officiated by Very Rev. Dennis Quint at 10:30 a.m. and interment at Mount Calvary Cemetery. Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, Dubuque, Iowa, is assisting the family.

Born December 23, 1931, in Dyersville, Iowa, Norma spent her earliest years on her grandfather’s farm and was the second oldest of five children. She was a good-natured kid who got along well with others. But she also had a certain determination and resolve, which got her into trouble when her brothers wouldn’t let her ride a bicycle they were told to share. One day, when it was laying in the grass, she picked up a pitchfork and flattened both tires.

It’s possible this was one of the only times she did anyone wrong. Norma had keen maternal instincts from a young age, which only deepened after the loss of her father in a drowning accident when she was just 14. In the years after, while her mother was busy working, Norma would head home after Catholic school to cook, bake, clean and sew for the family. After graduating high school, she worked at All Steel, which she always said was her favorite job.

Norma married her husband of 61 years, Frannie, on June 9, 1956, at Basilica of St. Francis Xavier in Dyersville. They moved to San Diego for a short time (which Norma would always say was her favorite place to live) but eventually returned to Frannie’s hometown of Dubuque to settle in for the rest of their lives.

As the matriarch of her family, Norma was a devoted wife and mother who is remembered as loving, caring, kind and selfless. She entertained the kids with family boating and camping in the summers on the Mississippi. She kept the home running with her delicious meals and always offered dessert (including her famous rhubarb custard and grape pies, her crust made from scratch). She was very involved in her children’s activities, including by serving as a Webelos den leader. And she was a protector. In the winters, she would have the kids put bread bags over their feet before putting on their boots so their feet would never be wet or cold when walking to school in the snow.

Even as she grew older, Norma had a timeless beauty, stylish down to the large collection of shoes she maintained. She also moved with the stamina of someone half her age. She would wake up before dawn to walk to morning mass at Nativity, then head straight to Loras College to swim laps. She also enjoyed long walks on the Heritage Trail, gardening and picking vegetables—often with one of her many grandchildren in tow. She kept her mind busy, whether through reading the daily newspaper, crossword puzzles, or a favorite book. After the kids were raised, she learned to read music and took piano lessons to refine her playing. A supporter of the arts, Norma enjoyed local classical concerts and going to the theater.

Norma was well-traveled. She criss-crossed the country on long road trips with Frannie and their grandkids in their signature blue Astro van—hiking in the Southwest, seeing shows in Branson, Mo., and going to Disney World in Florida. She had a thirst for learning history and connecting with people from different backgrounds, expanding her worldview through trips to Guatemala, Mexico, London, Paris, and even South Korea. The people, she always said, were so nice.

But of course, so was she. Norma never seemed to get mad or upset—or if she did, she still remained calm. She was affable through and through, with a warmth, approachability, wry sense of humor and a big smile and giggle—especially when she got to see the great-grandkids get into mischief—that made her a pleasure to be around. Many also remember Norma as wholesome. She didn’t swear or drink alcohol, and she loved the farmers market and organic fruits and vegetables. However, she did have at least one vice: four pats of butter on a Panera bear claw.

Norma is survived by children Carla Hiatt of East Dubuque, Ill., Francis (Judy) Apel of Stoughton, Wis., Jeff (Cindy) Apel of East Dubuque, Ill., and Steve (Pernilla) Apel of Vinton, Iowa; grandchildren Lisa LeConte, Jennifer (Bill) Graham, Jeff (Cassie) Hiatt, Kurtis Hiatt (Danny Schmidt), Sister Incarnata Apel, O.P., Thomas Apel, Rebekah Apel, Benjamin Apel, Joe Apel, Wade (Christina) Grimsford, Matt (Paige) Apel, Brandon Apel (Hannah Johnson), Derek Apel; great-grandchildren Clara LeConte, Anna Graham, William Graham, Miles Hiatt, Mila Hiatt, Theo Hiatt and Esther Hiatt Schmidt; best friend Nellie Splinter; sisters-in-law Diane Post, Darlene Steger, Celie Steger, and Patti Steger; and brother-in-law Eugene Schmitz.

Norma is predeceased by husband Francis “Frannie” Apel; parents Sylvester and Rosalia (Quint) Steger; son Kevin Apel; brothers Donald, Vernon and Paul Steger; sister Rosemary Schmitz; son-in-law Tom Hiatt; mother-in-law and father-in-law Angeline and Francis Apel; and sisters-in-law Janaan Eudaley and Norma Beam.

Norma’s family extends its gratitude to the many individuals who helped care for her, including Grand Meadows-Asbury staff (okey-doke Taylor), Asbury Emergency transport, Paramount transport, Finley Emergency and Finley Hospital staffs (Shelby and Lisa—and no, Lisa, you can’t take Norma home with you!), NP Sherri, Dr. Pierotti and nurse Ann, Dr. Konz and nurse Cheri, Dr. Khan and staff, and Hospice of Dubuque staff.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dubuque Humane Society, honoring Norma’s love of dogs—especially the injured or retired greyhounds she adopted from the racing park.

Home again, home again, jiggety jog.