Norma Jean Steger, age 84, died Thursday, January 29, 2026 in Rogers, AR.

Born May 3, 1941, in Odessa, TX but raised primarily in Taft, CA as the foster child of Merle and Mathilde Beebe who provided love and care for 3 years of her life, and who she loved as "Mom and Dad".

Norma was a known card shark who never turned down a game of Canasta or Rummy. She loved playing Farkel and Bingo at Innisfree Nursing Home in Rogers. While she was a resident at Innisfree, she was the epitome of a caretaker, helping other residents and staff despite the need of a walker and care for herself. She was well loved by the residents and staff and even represented the facility as "Ms. Innisfree" in a beauty contest in 2025.

Her sense of humor always brought a smile to your face and to hers, as she would say, with a twinkle in her eyes, things like "I'm up to my ears in alligators",  "It's cold as a kraut crock in a kraut house", "I'm off like a herd of turtles", "It's better to burp and bear the shame, than hold the burp and bear the pain", "It's hotter than a two dollar pistol", "You're strong, but smell ain't everything", "If I had a brain, I'd put in a bird and he'd fly backwards", "Good grief gravy train", "Pull up the floor and sit down", and countless others we will remember fondly.

She laughed often and loved living. She dressed up for Halloween all the way to her final year of life. She loved Christmas, the lights, the music, the family time. Ice cream made her happy. She was passionate about her country music, but tolerant of the wacky music we listened to, as well. She knew artists from Waylon Jennings to AC/DC to Jelly Roll and loved them all. She loved Phantom of the Opera, which she saw in the theatre several times.

As a beloved mom, she was the glue that held the family together for our entire lives. She had a tougher life than anyone we have ever known. She was one of six abandoned siblings and spent her life in foster care from age six to adulthood. Her husband passed away at the age of 33 in 1971 leaving Norma to nurture and raise 3 young children on her own with little to no means to make ends meet.

Despite all of that, she NEVER considered herself a victim. She took charge of her life and created a caring and loving home for her children. She made sure they were always clean, clothed, fed and always knew what it meant to be loved. She instilled her own life of leadership, self-worth, and holding yourself accountable for your actions in them, but most importantly, sharing your love with others.

She is survived by her brother, John Reese, wife Elsie; sister Mathilde (Beebe) Southworth; sister in law, Hilda Gabriel; her son James, wife Laurie and her grandchildren Taylor, wife Amanda, and Kelsey and great granddaughter, Adeline; her daughter Jeri Lynn and grandchildren Arielle Leon, husband Jonathan and great grandchildren Coral and Samuel; grandson Daniel Herrera; daughter Jennifer, and husband Kevin and step-granddaughters, Desiree and Whitney, husband Jayce.

She is preceded in death by her dad and mom, Merle and Mathilda Beebe, her sister Joann Brannon, brothers Richard Gabriel and David Bailey and by her granddaughter who she loved beyond words, Bailey Steger, youngest daughter of her son, James.

The family wishes to thank Innisfree Health and Rehabilitation Nursing Home for the exceptional care and love provided right up to her final day. Norma truly loved the staff and residents, enjoying every activity and every moment spent with those who loved her in return. We couldn't have ever asked for a happier last year and a half of her life than what was provided to her by her family at Innisfree.

She was the best mom we could have asked for and there will never be a day that she isn't missed. Our hearts are sad but will continue to be full of the love that she provided all her 84 wonderful years with us.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Sisco Funeral Home, Inc., located at 1312 N. Curtis Ave. Pea Ridge, AR 72751. For those that want to attend family and friends will share memories at 11:00 A.M.

Please join us to celebrate and remember this amazing woman we all love so much.