Norma Jo Hertel, 77, of Kerrville, Texas, passed away peacefully on July 24, 2026. She was born to Elmer and Vera Hertel on December 10, 1948. She graduated from Tivy High School in 1967.
Norma worked a variety of jobs over her lifetime, principally as an administrative assistant. The last 13 years prior to her retirement, she worked in medical records for the Werlein Crisis Stabilization Unit in Kerrville. She also served terms under Assemblies of God MAPS appointment program providing on field support for Teen Challenge ministries and other missionaries. She was an active member of Victory Temple in Kerrville.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Vera (2012) and Elmer Hertel (1994). She is survived by her sister, Karlene Hertel of Kerrville, Texas; her brother, Nolan Hertel and his wife Jennifer Hertel of Kyle, Texas; her niece, Hayley Hertel of Park City, Utah; her niece, Heather Paes-Leme (Cassio) of Austin, Texas; and her nephew, Ryan Hertel (Courtney) of Chapel Hill, NC. She is also survived by 2 grandnieces and 2 grandnephews and numerous cousins and friends.
Norma loved to travel to Europe and did her MAPS assignments there. Norma loved to sing and is now singing in her Heavenly Home. While attending Oak Cliff Assembly of God during the years she lived in Dallas, she sang in the church choir. Norma made friends everywhere she went. She will be missed, but she is reaping the rewards of her life of faith.
A Celebration of Norma’s Life will be held at Grimes Funeral Chapels, 728 Jefferson Street, Kerrville on Saturday, August 8 at 10:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Peterson Hospice Blessing Fund, Peterson Health Foundation | Kindful. Peterson Hospice is the only nonprofit hospice in the Hill Country.
Services
Memorial Service
Celebration of Life
Grimes Funeral Chapels
728 Jefferson St.
Kerrville, TX, 78028
August 8, 2026
10:00 AM
Condolences (11)
"Dear Nolan and family, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your sister, Norma. Please accept my deepest condolences. Although it's been many years since we were classmates, I wanted you to know that I'm thinking of you and your family. Wishing you comfort in the memories you shared and strength in the days ahead. May she rest in peace."
"It was about 70 years ago that Norma and my past met in a Sunday School class at Emmanuel Gospel church. When we were teenagers, we were together again in the Christ Ambassador’s youth group at the first Assembly of God Church. During those days, there were numerous youth activities and Sunday afternoon car adventures in the Kerrville Hill country. It was during this time that I remember Norma‘s enthusiastic energy and her zest for life as she energized so many of our youth group activities. While pasting in Ashport, Tennessee I can still remember the visit of Norma, her mom and Karlene to our little parsonage there by the Mississippi river. It was there that Norma brought Joy and a connection to home. In recent years when I visited Kerrville, there was no place that felt more like Home than when I visited in her home. I remember those small get-togethers at Del Norte, one of her favorite places, with friends and relatives. Nolan and Karlene made the strength as the Lord sustain you in this time."
"As Norma’s elder cousin, I am probably one of the few surviving people who knew Norma for her entire life. I first met her at one of our family’s Christmas reunions when I was an awkward 8 or 9 year-old boy and Norma was a squalling baby. We kept in touch over the years. I tried to see her whenever I was in Texas, and she and Karlene even visited Irene and me when I was stationed in Germany. Norma was witty, loyal, lovable, and opinionated with a “fat lip.” Looking at my family records, I found the 100-year old obituary of our common great-grandfather Carl Friedrich Hertel. He was described as “ friendly, likable and a ‘live wire’.” Norma was obviously his great granddaughter. God bless you and sing with the angelic choirs!"