O. Norene Hobbs

Norene Hobbs, 97, of Ottawa, passed away Tuesday, October 1, 2019, at AdventHealth Ottawa. A graveside inurnment will be held at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, October 5, 2019 at Highland Cemetery in Ottawa. Norene was born on Friday, May 12, 1922 in Guymon, Oklahoma, the daughter of Homer Earl and Mary Lillian (David) Spears. She has been a resident of Ottawa since 1940, moving from Rantoul, Kansas where she graduated from Rantoul High School with the class of 1940. Norene worked 25 years as the computer operator for the City of Ottawa at City Hall, retiring in 1987. She lived on West Sixth Street in Ottawa for over sixty years and more recently was a resident at Vintage Park Assisted Living, which she enjoyed with some special friends. On March 8,1941, Norene was united in marriage to Owen Aaron “Red” Hobbs at Peoria, Kansas. He preceded her in death on November 24,1974. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Homer and Lillian Spears; brother, Elmore Spears; son, Ronald Elmore Hobbs; grandson, Donald Hobbs; and her loving partner for 20 years, Leroy Fredricks. Norene is survived by her daughter, LaVonne Butler and husband John of Litchfield Park, Arizona; son, Gary Owen Hobbs and wife Patti of South Padre Island, Texas; daughter, Lynette Wolken and husband Nick of Ottawa; Connie Hobbs of Clearwater, Florida, the wife of the late Ronald Hobbs; grandchildren, Julie Heidenrich, Kristina Silberschlag, Deric Butler, Stacey Sipe, Gary A. Hobbs and Brian McNees; great grandchildren, Mathew and Melissa Hobbs, Alexander and Zachary Butler, Tyler and Logan Silberschlag, Tessa and Peyton Sipe, Ashlyn and Kassidy Hobbs. Norene had an artistic flair and enjoyed painting, crochet work and knitting. Members of her family were thrilled to be the recipients of this beautiful work. She and Leroy Fredricks enjoyed traveling and visited all 50 states together. They even danced in the aisle at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. They were blessed with a special relationship. She made his eyes twinkle and he gave her a smile that lit up the room. Memorial contributions may be made to Wreaths Across Franklin County c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Family and friends are encouraged to post condolences and memories on Norene’s Tribute Wall at www.dengelmortuary.com