Norma Jean Ellington

Norma J. Ellington, age 86, passed away with her daughters at her side on January 24, 2022. She was a wonderful woman whose endearing nature captured the hearts of everyone she met. Norma was born to Henry Hunt and Naomi Hunt (Sorrell) on March 11, 1935 in Salt Lick, Kentucky.

Norma was an excellent student and worked in the school office during high school for the principal who would become her future father-in-law. Although Norma met her future husband in grade school, it was not until a high school dance that they decided to take a chance on each other. While dating, Norma and Earl had serious discussions concerning their goals and their future with a focus on family and education. Together they worked to not only reach those early goals, but to continue to revise, expand and exceed their goals throughout their marriage. They married on June 30, 1953 and had two daughters, Teresa and Patty. Earl and Norma instilled the importance of family and education in their two daughters and their families. Their big dreams and adventurous life led them across the country where they moved from Kentucky to California to Oregon and finally planted strong roots in Nebraska.

Norma dedicated her life to being a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend. She excelled at supporting her loved ones through the many passions and difficulties of their lives. She made it her mission to improve the lives of others.

Norma strove to be an active member in her community and was passionate about protecting the people and land within it. She was instrumental in the movement to keep the Oregon beaches open to the public and coastlines free from commercial properties. In Nebraska, she was an active member of the local TTT Chapter, Women’s Council of Realtors, and Ceres Club. In addition to her love of community, Norma and her husband, Earl, were ambitious travelers. Together, they traveled nationally and internationally where they enjoyed exploring different cultures, made many friends, and incorporated their hobbies of antiquing and investigating the local real estate market. Norma’s hobbies included:  cooking, reading, knitting, spending time with family and friends, and attending Nebraska sporting events. #GOBIGRED!

Norma used her unwavering positivity, her love of community, and her knowledge of the current housing market during her 37 years as a Realtor in the Lincoln area. Her clients frequently commented on her commitment to providing excellent service while ensuring they were getting the home of their dreams. She was the realtor of choice in many families for multiple generations. Her drive and dedication earned her the Top Realtor of the Year award numerous times throughout her career.

Norma is survived by daughters Teresa and husband David Jacka, Patricia Ellington and husband Mike Hill, grandchildren, Jeff Jacka (Liz), Jennifer Jancich (Bryan), James Babcock, Sarah Elizabeth Schmidt (Jim), and great-grandsons, Bentley and Bennet Jancich.  Norma was an only child and was quickly adopted as part of the Ellington family including brother-in-law R.W. Ellington (Ginny), sisters-in-law, Vivian Hogge (Fred), Arye Dethmers (Don), and Evelyn Sallee (Sam).  She is predeceased by her husband, Dr. Earl F. Ellington, parents, Henry Hunt, Naomi Sorrell (Hunt) and Dee Sorrell, brothers-in-law, Lindsay Ellington Jr., Fred Hogge, and Donald Dethmers, father-in-law, Lindsay, and mother-in-law, Hazel Ellington.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thursday, June 30th from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. in the enclosed shelter at Bethany Park in Lincoln, Nebraska (closest to the intersection of North 66th Street and Vine Street).

For more information and to share your memories, please visit the memorial site https://www.forevermissed.com/norma-jean-ellington/lifestory or leave your condolences below.

In lieu of flowers, and to honor Norma Ellington’s continued commitment to family and education, memorials may be made to University of Nebraska Foundation, Ellington Memorial Fund, at https://nufoundation.org/ways-to-give or to the University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture, E S Good Barn, 1451 University Drive, Lexington, Kentucky 40546-0097.