Norma Jean Lenard

Norma Jean Putch Lenard passed away peacefully at her home on December 10, 2017. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 12:00 p.m. Thursday, December 14, 2017 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church with Father Phil Michiels officiating and with Father Tim Hurd concelebrating. Entombment will follow in Forest Park East Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 13, 2017 at Rose-Neath Marshall St. with a Vigil at 7:00 p.m. with Deacon Mike Whitehead officiating. Norma Jean was the daughter of Italian immigrants, John Anthony Putch, Sr. and Anne Jimes Putch. She was an excellent homemaker and cook. Everyone enjoyed her special Italian cuisine. She loved fashion, decorating, and visiting with her neighbors. Though Norma Jean was a shy person, she was very intuitive and truly listened to others. She had an understated intelligence. It was not uncommon for photographers to request she model for them because of her beauty. Norma Jean was preceded in death by her parents; husband, A.C. "Shorty" Lenard; one son, A. Clifton Lenard; three sisters, Rosemary Putch, Teresa Wilke, and Charlene Sprengelmeyer; and four brothers, John Anthony Putch, Jr., Nicholas Putch, Carl Putch, and Henry Putch. Left to cherish her memory are her son, Keith Lenard of Shreveport, LA; two daughters, Valerie Denise Lenard and Carla Lenard Martynenko (Steve) all of Shreveport; grandchildren, Nicole L. Grimsley (Dylan) of Austin, TX, Caroline L. Lancaster (Jerry) of Denver, CO, Joshua P. LaGeose (Dawn) of Shreveport, LA, and Alex Martynenko of Baton Rouge, LA; great-grandchildren, Madison and Joshua Lancaster and Adam, Paisley, and Jeremiah LaGeose; three sisters, Sudie Corbett of Shreveport, LA, Patricia Linhares of Phoenix, AZ, and Rita Coleman (Ronald) of Dallas TX; and a host of nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Joshua LaGeose, Robert Putch, Nicholas "Nick" Putch, III, Steve Martynenko, Nicolas Lee Putch, and Tony Roppolo. Norma Jean's family wishes to thank the amazing, caring staff of Christus Highland Medical Center including all the hospitalists and nursing staff on PCU as well as the staff of Christus Home Care/Hospice, especially Wendy, Lisa-Michelle, Michelle Thomas, Nicki, Toya, Valerie, and Chaplain Aaron, for their patience and compassion during Mom's illness. Dr. Kelly Carlisle's time and support to Denise during her mother's last hospitalization provided Denise clarity and peace. Denise would also like to express her gratitude to her very special friends who have shown their support throughout the years, Gale Gucker, Sheila Miller, Carol Moloney, Leesa Sitter, Jennifer Spurlock, and Tony Roppolo. Tony has been an invaluable source of support and a constant friend to Denise and her mom. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to the Christus Health System's Cancer Treatment Center or Cardiac Rehabilitation, the American Heart Association, or to St. Jude's Research Hospital.