Norma Sievers

Norma Irene (Madden) Sievers, 97, passed away peacefully on June 18, 2026 at Villas of Hollybrook in Monticello, Illinois.

Norma was born on September 24, 1928, at home on the farm in Lodge, Illinois, the youngest child of Ralph Edgar and Tillie Merle Madden.  By all appearances, she was pampered as the baby of the family. Her parents, her sisters, Erma Chambers and Ruth Eades, and her brother Ralph “Bud” Madden, Jr., predeceased her.

Norma attended Madden School and Lodge School which were within walking distance of the farm.  There were no buses at the time, so she lived in Monticello with her Aunt Irene Madden while she attended High School.  She graduated 80 years ago in the class of 1946.

Shortly after graduation, she married John Edward Sievers, who was just back from service in the Army.  Their first home was at Lodge, but they soon moved to White Heath where Ed farmed with his parents, Earl and Mary Sievers.  Ed died of cancer in 1987.

Norma and Ed had two children, Mark Edward Sievers who died of cancer in 2021, and Gloria Kay Horvay, who resides in New Jersey with her husband Robert Horvay.  Norma has two grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

Norma enjoyed saying her job was to “fetchit” when Ed needed parts for his farm equipment. Besides that, Norma kept very active with a number of volunteer organizations.  She joined Centerville United Methodist Church in 1958 and was proud to be the oldest member. She served as president of the United Methodist Women, and also as president of the Piatt County Home Extension.  She was on the board of the Piatt County Nursing Home Foundation for 19 years and was proud to be on the committee when Maple Point was built. She belonged to the White Heath PTA and the White Heath Community Club. Norma and Ed enjoyed dancing with the Prairie Promenaders Square Dance Club.  In later years Norma drove for Faith in Action and was on the board of Service for Seniors.  She played with three bridge clubs, on call when a substitute was needed.

Norma loved to “visit” with people.  She said there was rarely anyone she couldn’t strike up a conversation with. The family expresses sincere gratitude to her dear caregivers at Villas of Hollybrook and Traditions Hospice, as well as to those who drove her from Faith in Action and the ladies at Centerville Church who kept in touch.  As a tribute to Norma, pass kindness forward to others.

Visitation will be on Friday, July 10, 2026 at 10:30 am at Centerville United Methodist Church, with Celebration of Life service to follow. She will be interred at Ingram Cemetery. Arrangements by Mackey-Wright Funeral Home.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Centerville United Methodist Church, 2269 Lickskillet Road, White Heath, IL 61884 or to Faith in Action, 1115 N. State St., Monticello, IL 61856.

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