Norma Glassburner, age 89, of Council Bluffs, passed away on Sunday, December 24, 2017 at the Correctionville Specialty Care of Correctionville.  A graveside service will be held on Friday, December 29, 2017 at 12:00 PM at the Correctionville Cemetery of Correctionville with the Rev. Doresa K Collogan officiating.  Burial will be at the Correctionville Cemetery of Correctionville.  A visitation will be held on Friday, December 29, 2017 from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM at the Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home of Correctionville. 

Norma’s singing career started at the age of 10 when she sang at an amateur contest with Bobby Beers who later became the vocalist with the Lawrence Welk Orchestra.  She received 2nd place.  Her love of music began as a small child at home with her family who saw to it that she was surrounded by music.  She was later offered a job with the Lawrence Welk Orchestra, but declined because she was only 15.  She graduated from Correctionville High School in 1946 and went on to get a two-year degree from Iowa State Teachers College.  While teaching in Washta, Iowa, she met her future husband, Fred Glassburner.  They both ended up in Nashville, Tennessee and Norma received her BA degree from Peabody College, a part of Vanderbilt University.  They married on December 28, 1956.

While in Nashville, she also concentrated on her singing career with the Carl Galvin and Owen Bradley Orchestras among other opportunities while going to college.  Her love of music and teaching was continued through her adult life taking her to California, Wisconsin, Minnesota and back to Iowa where she and Fred settled in Council Bluffs.  She wasted no time returning to the stage and joined the Mort Wells Band traveling extensively in the area. 

After tiring of the traveling, she suggested to Fred that they start their own band, which they did, and they were making a name for themselves throughout the area known as the Fred and Norma Glassburner Orchestra until Fred died unexpectedly in 1987.  She declined offers to sing with several bands for many years until 1998, when Norrie Egger asker her to join his small combo.  She was 70 years old.  She didn’t have to travel so she accepted and sang with him for ten years.  During retirement she also played drums with the Elks Band in Council Bluffs, sang with the “Hometowner’s” chorus, and also sang with a number of the big bands that played at Bluff’s Run Casino in Council Bluffs.

Norma is survived by a brother, John Andersen, Jr. of Iowa City, IA; six nieces, Tamaren “Tammy” Hardersen of Waukee, IA, Pam Wartick of Urbandale, IA, Michael Kohli of Iowa City, IA, Karren Bennett of Denver, CO, Carol Schwartz of Hospers, IA and Susan Nash of Sioux City, IA; a nephew, John Andersen III of Weston, FL; and several great and great-great nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred; her parents, John and Maren Andersen; three brothers, Moss, Whitey and Richard; and a nephew, Richard.

 Service Information