Norman Verl “Norm” Elliott passed away Monday, May 25, 2026, in Springfield, Missouri. He was the oldest child of E.V. “Pete” and Mildred L. (Paxton) Elliott and was raised on a farm northwest of Falls City, Nebraska. He was 86 years old.
He married his sweetheart, Joyce Elizabeth Schneidewind, in 1957, and together they had a daughter, Donna Sue (Balke), and a son, Brent Lee Elliott. On August 25 of this year, they would have celebrated 69 years of marriage.
A 1957 graduate of Verdon High School, Norm earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska Omaha and a bachelor’s degree in Christian Studies from North Central University. He worked in banking, insurance, real estate, and appraisal services throughout Nebraska and Kansas. He was active in many community organizations, including the Falls City Area Chamber of Commerce, Community Hospital Board, Lions Club, and local realtor associations.
Above all, Norm was a man of God who spent his life showing the love of Christ to others through kindness, service, encouragement, and missions work. Norman served as a minister at a nursing home, alongside his wife Joyce, for over 30 years. His faith in God guided every part of his life and inspired those around him. He had a deep love for Israel and the Jewish people and treasured the opportunities he had to visit there. Norm and Joyce travelled to Israel 15 times.
Norm loved traveling, bicycling, hiking, and serving others around the world. Together, they explored 75 countries and travelled across many countries on their bicycles. Norm also enjoyed gardening, reading, writing, collecting pens and pencils, volunteering as a chaplain at Sac River Cowboy Church, and cheering for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Survivors include his wife, Joyce Elliott of Springfield, Missouri; daughter Donna Sue Balke and husband James of Ridgedale, Missouri; son Brent Lee Elliott of Falls City, Nebraska; sister Elaine Lippold and husband Harold of Mankato, Kansas; along with five grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. His great-grandchildren lovingly called him “Papa Great.”
Norm’s greatest legacy will be the example of his unwavering faith in God and the love of Christ that he showed to his family. Through his kindness, servant’s heart, devotion to prayer, and deep love for his family, he leaves behind a spiritual legacy that will continue to guide and inspire generations to come.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Roger Lee Elliott and Duane M. Elliott. A private, intimate family gathering to celebrate Norman’s life will take place at a later time.
