Norma Elaine Nelson Kneer, 92, of Springfield died Wednesday May 17, 2017 at home following a lengthy illness of Lewis Body Dementia. 

She was born October 20, 1924 in Medina, North Dakota, the youngest of 9 children.  She was the daughter of Louise Emilie Pedersen and Lars Gustav Nielsen; both emigrated to the U.S. from Denmark.  She married Dale E. Nelson in 1946.  She married Robert Kneer in May 1997. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Dale, her husband Robert, 8 siblings, and 2 grandchildren at birth. 

Mrs. Kneer was a graduate of Sangamon State University and worked many years for the State of Illinois becoming the first Personnel Administrator for Teacher’s Retirement System, from which she retired in 1988.  She was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church. In keeping with her Danish heritage, she was active in Social Justice and numerous community activities.  Norma was a passionate gardener and passed that love onto her daughters.  

Survivors include 5 daughters: Lark (Dennis) Kirchner and grandson Zachary; Robin Foster and grandsons Cory (Ashlee) Foster and Alex (Viktoriia) Foster; Kristin Trask (partner, John) and granddaughter Cassandra Trask; Deborah (Dick) Culbertson and grandchildren Michael (Miranda) Culbertson; Emily (Curtis) Niguidula and Katie (Scot) Sheppard; and Patti Kneer; and a son Robert (Sandi) Kneer and granddaughter Mandy Kneer. There are 14 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. 

Memorials may be made to King’s Daughters, APL or Meals on Wheels. 

Memorial Services will be at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Springfield, Illinois Tuesday May 23, 2017 with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. preceding the Memorial Service at 11 a.m. with Associate Pastor Trajan McGill, officiating.  Interment will follow at Rochester Cemetery. 

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