Obituary of Norma Jeanne Bartikowsky

BARTIKOWSKY NORMA JEANNE

Norma Jeanne Bartikowsky, age 62 of Yankton, SD passed away unexpectedly at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Thursday, July 3, 2025 at Yankton, SD.  Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at St. Benedict Catholic Church, Yankton, SD with Rev. Thi Pham officiating.  Visitation will be 5 to 7 PM, Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Onsite Crematory, Yankton, SD with a Scripture service at 7:00 PM.  Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church.  On line condolences may be shared at: www.okfhc.com.  Honorary pallbearers are Jason Novak and Mark Langley.

Norma Jeanne (Meredith) Bartikowsky was born August 28, 1962, in Evanston, Wyoming, the sixth child of Maurice W. (Bill) and Rowena (Allen) Meredith. Although her name was inspired by a very talented piano player on the Lawrence Welk show, Norma Jeanne was always amused by the fact that she and Marilyn Monroe shared the same birth name.

Norma was a very caring person, always willing to lend a hand where needed. She loved feeding and watching birds and squirrels. Her creative, crafty side led her to build, paint, and decorate many items including several lovely birdhouses. Her latest creative passion was doll and toy repair with her friend Mary Born at Peep Squeak Creations Restoration and Doll Hospital.

She was a loving pet mama of many dogs through the years and rescued a pregnant Baby Kitty. From a young age, she loved to play board games, bingo, and especially card games. She graduated from Yankton High School in 1980. She played drums in marching band throughout middle and high school, and was active in high school theatre.

Norma married Ronnie Bartikowsky June 15, 1985. They lived in California for 2½ years, then returned to South Dakota to be closer to family. Norma’s workplaces included Bill’s Dari Bar, Sunshine Grocery, FNBO, KXRB Radio, and Avera Homemakers. Over the years, she was a member and active participant of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Yankton.

She is survived by her husband, Ronnie, of Yankton; siblings Teresa (Wally) Bosch, Yankton; Peggy (David) Sorensen, Yankton; Jane Fender, Vermillion; Maurice (Teresa) Meredith, Springfield; and Mary Meredith, Mendota Heights, Minnesota; sisters-in-law Ruth Langley, Carol Reining and Dottie (John) Honomichl; numerous nieces and nephews; and four-legged babies Pokey and Baby.

She was preceded in death by her parents, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, two sisters-in-law, two nephews, and many beloved dogs. Memorials may be directed to Heartland Humane Society or Sacred Heart Church.