Barbara Caroline Cerven Norris
August 27, 1937 — November 13, 2023
Barbara Caroline Cerven Norris, 86, of Pana passed away Monday, November 13, 2023 at Pana Health and Rehab Center with her family by her side. She was born August 27, 1937, in Pana to the late Paul and Emma (Desatnick) Cerven. She married Patrick Edward Norris, June 18, 1960 at St. Patrick’s Church in Pana and he survives.
Barbara graduated from Sacred Heart School and Pana High School in 1955 and St. John’s School of Nursing in 1958. She was a Registered Nurse and Certified Trauma Nurse. She started her career at Huber Memorial Hospital in Pana as a surgical & OB nurse. She retired after 30 years from St. Vincent Memorial Hospital in Taylorville, where she worked in the emergency department. She was named the St. Vincent’s employee of the year in 1996. She was a selfless, devoted caregiver to so many family members, friends, and complete strangers. Barbara was a member of the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Pana.
She was devoted to her Catholic faith, with a special devotion to the Blessed Mother. Barbara was actively involved with her daughters in the Pana Willing Workers 4-H club. Barbara was very proud of her Slovak heritage and enjoyed passing on these traditions to her family. She was an expert seamstress & excellent cook and baker. She enjoyed crocheting, knitting, canning produce from her and her husband’s garden and teaching all these skills to her children. Barbara and Patrick enjoyed traveling the United States and took their children on many memorable cross country car trips. Barbara was devoted to her grandchildren, making trips out of state to their various birthdays, important milestones, and activities.
Along with her husband of 63 years, Barbara is survived by her children: Carol Norris, Bonaire, Ga.; Thomas (Cindy) Norris, Southern California; Joan (Mike) Rundle, Jefferson City, Mo.; Patti (David) Wahl, St. Louis; Traci Norris, St. Louis, Mo.; grandchildren: Matthew (Michaela) Rundle, Meagan Rundle, Morgan Rundle, Jack Rundle, Kelsey Norris; brothers: Paul (Grace) Cerven, Martin Cerven (special friend, Judy Holthaus), James Cerven, Andrew (Kathryn) Cerven ; sisters: Marie Tolly, Veronica (Floyd) Patten; sisters-in-law: Carolyn Cerven and Mary Fliakos and many cousins, nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents: Paul and Emma Cerven; brother, Robert Cerven; brothers-in-Law: Don Tolly, Joseph Norris, James Norris & William Reid; sisters-in-law: Rebecca Cerven and Ann Reid.
A mass of Christian burial for Barbara will be held on Saturday, November 18, 2023 in St. Patrick’s Catholic Church at 10:30 a.m. with Father Joseph Havrilka officiating. Burial will be Calvary Cemetery, Pana. Visitation will be Saturday from 8:00-10:00 a.m. in McCracken-Dean Funeral Home, Pana.
Memorials in Barbara’s honor may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic School, St. Patrick’s Church or memorial masses and will be accepted by McCracken-Dean Funeral Home who is assisting the family.
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