Normagene Louise Robertson Obituary (1925 - 2020)

Normagene Robertson, 95, formerly of Ottumwa, died on Friday, June 12, 2020 at Monroe Care Center in Albia, under the care of EveryStep Hospice. She was born Normagene Louise Mellott in Pekin, IA on May 6, 1925, to Arnold Leston and Bessie Mills Mellott. She was a graduate of Ollie High School in 1942, and attended Parsons College in Fairfield and Iowa Success in Ottumwa. Normagene was a professional secretary and worked at McCaughey Insurance, NOEL Insurance, and Charles Bookin Law Offices before joining the Union Bank & Trust Co. in Ottumwa in 1963, from where she retired as an officer and executive secretary to Dick Ackley in 1987. She married Don Robertson and the couple had a daughter, Vicki. They later divorced. She married Don Peterson in 1957 and they had a son, Val. They later divorced. Besides working full time, she was active in several community groups. She was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church and a 50+ year member of the church choir. She was Queen Mother of Hats Amore Red Hats group, an active member of Ottumwa Community Players for many years, belonged to Professional Secretaries of Iowa, Ottumwa Women's Club, and was a member of the Ottumwa Doll Club. She was named Iowa Professional Secretary of the Year in 1977. Growing up as an only child, she was especially proud of the large family she had, including her daughter and son-in-law, Vicki and Jim Baty of Moravia, her son, Val Peterson of Hebron, KY, four grandsons, Jim (Julie) Baty of Mt. Vernon, IA and John (Stacy) Baty of Moravia, and Valentine and Cameron Peterson of Hebron, KY. She is also survived by six great-grandchildren, Trevor, Trenton, and Tessa Baty, and Sydney, Zane, and Spencer Baty. She was predeceased by her parents. An open visitation will be held from 3-7 p.m., Tuesday, June 16, 2020 at Sinnott Home in Ottumwa. Private family services will be held in Friends Cemetery in Richland, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to Grace United Methodist Church at Moravia or the Moravia First Responders. Online condolences may be left for the family at sinnottfuneralhome.com.