Norma J. Hess

Norma Jean Hess, age 83, of Eau Claire, passed away on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at Oakwood Health Services in Altoona. Norma was born in Colton, South Dakota on August 26, 1942 to the late Curtis and Ruth (nee Schroeder) Gilland.

Her family moved numerous places and settled in Fairchild in the early sixties. She met Harold Hess in Fairchild and they married in 1964. Norma was a homemaker while raising her children. After raising her children, she was a waitress and hostess. 

She collected nick-nacks and doilies of which she had an extensive collection. Norma loved reading, crosswords, word searches and cactuses.

Norma is survived by her daughter Annette; sons Kevin Gilland and Dennis Hess; grandchildren Amelia (Ellis) Ullom and Braden Hess; 1 great-grandchild on the way; sister Cheryl Stasio; brothers and sisters in-laws: Barbara Gottlieb, Herbert (Alice) Hess, Bernadine (Roger) Rivard, Betty Durst, Bunny (Dan) Dux, Betsy (John) Lewitzke and Fred (Sandy) Hess. She is further survived by numerous other relatives and friends.

Preceding her in death are her parents, husband Harold on January 24, 2026; son Robert Hess, daughter-in-law Rhonda, granddaughter Rachel Hess, brothers LaMonte "Joe" Gilland and Robert "Bob" Gilland and sisters Maxine Martin, Marylin Wilson, Maureen Besler and Roberta Raber.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 8, at Stokes, Prock & Mundt Funeral Chapel, 535 S. Hillcrest Parkway, Altoona. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until time of service.

Stokes, Prock & Mundt Funeral Chapel, Altoona is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.stokesprockandmundt.com.