Norma Jean Leichtweis

Norma Jean, beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother, peacefully passed away on June 6, 2025, in her home in Anaheim, surrounded by her family. She was 93.

Norma was born December 19, 1931, in the little town of Maurice, Iowa to Richard and Marie De Jong. She had an older brother, Bud and later, a younger sister Betty Ann. Norma was a happy child, a “tomboy,” and enjoyed being part of a group, especially if it involved music or sports. In high school, she was an accomplished trombone player and enjoyed girls’ basketball. She produced and directed many plays in the family’s garage during childhood summers. She also produced community theater plays at her church in Anaheim for many years.

The family moved to Bronson, Iowa, in 1947. While in Bronson, she graduated from high school, met and married Abbott Hatch, the love of her life. Four beautiful children arrived in the 1950s: Kay, Rick, Tim, and Tam. Life was good, but California beckoned in 1953, and a new chapter of life began. First in Compton, then Torrance, and finally Anaheim, where she lived the rest of her years.

Both Norma and Abbott were involved with their children in all their activities – scouts, Little League, church youth group, band, and school. These were busy, happy years. Then in 1976, her world came crashing down. Her soulmate, Abbott, succumbed to a brain aneurysm. Coping with his death was devastating. But with the help of family and friends, as well as a strong faith in God, she managed. Golf became a big part of her life, and in 1979, she married Charlie Leichtweis, a fellow golfer.

She loved spending time with her grandchildren...soon there were great-grandchildren. They were all her greatest delight.

She was a faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church of Anaheim for sixty years. She was a community organizer in the truest sense, once diligently and successfully advocating for a traffic light on the busy street corner of her church.

Norma was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Abbott Hatch, daughter Kay Marie Prichard, loving husband Charles Leichtweis, and brother Richard “Bud” De Jong, and daughter-in-law Wendy Hatch.

She is survived by her children Tamara Ward (Richard), Rick Hatch (Diana), Timothy Hatch, sixteen grandchildren, and thirteen great-grandchildren and dozens of nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held on July 12, 2025 at 1:00 pm PST at the First Presbyterian Church of Anaheim at 310 W. Broadway, Anaheim, CA 92805.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial gifts be made in honor of Norma Leichtweis to the following organizations:

First Presbyterian Church of Anaheim Memorial Fund

https://anaheimfirstpres.org/

Spinal Cord Injury Triumph Foundation

https://triumph-foundation.org/