Lenora "Nora" Ruth Schlenker
April 27, 1934 — July 14, 2026
Lenora Ruth Schlenker
of Ankeny, Iowa
Lenora “Nora” Ruth Schlenker, 92, passed away on July 14, 2026, at Mercy One in Des Moines. She was born to Donald and Edith (Livesay) Hodson on April 27, 1934, in Redfield, Iowa. She was the youngest of 9 children; all who have proceeded her in death.
Nora was an avid gardener. Tending her flowers and garden was one of her favorite hobbies. She was known for her “famous” black raspberry jelly, which she loved to give to her friends and loved ones. As a member of the Red Hat Society, the AACA and Cadillac Clubs, she enjoyed many outings, lunches and conventions with the other members. In her younger years she loved to go fishing and camping with her husband and family, especially in Alaska, and Minnesota.
Nora was preceded in death by her loving husband, George “Bill”; son, Larry Massure and stepdaughter, Jodi Schlenker.
Those left to cherish Nora’s memory include her children, Gail McAvoy, Steven (Becky) Massure, Sharon Lopez and Richard Massure; stepchildren, Mark (Kathy) Schlenker, Todd (Sue) Schlenker; grandchildren Michael (Annie) Massure, Melissa (Corey) Jurgensen, Jason McAvoy, Stacy Michaelis, Wade (Jessica) Massure, Michelle (Dain) Santarelli, Nicholas (Erica) Lopez, Carlye (Kenny) Bishop, Willow Schlenker, Cole (Tracie) Schlenker, Cailey (Dalton) Dolash and 15 great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m., on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Ave., Des Moines, Iowa. Nora will be laid to rest with her husband, Bill at Oralabor Cemetery, 515 SE Oralabor Road, Ankeny, Iowa.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the family in memory of Nora.
Condolences may be expressed at: www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Steven Fox
08/04/2026
Bill and Nora Schlenker were members of the Iowa CrossRoads Cadillac & LaSalle Club since 2005. Bill would often drive his beautiful 1938 LaSalle Convertible to various car club events. Bill hand-crafted many of the wooden dashboard details in his '38 LaSalle by himself. Since Bill passed away in 2015, I often would drive Nora to our car club events, laughing and in full enjoyment of the stories she told along the way. She would convey her stories to me and others totally unfiltered and whatever she had on her mind were shared without regret.
Nora was always such great fun to be around. My family and I loved her and often referred to Nora as "a kick in the pants". She was "full of the devil" as one may say, and we (young and old, alike) loved her for it. At many of our dinner events, Nora would bring 10-20 selected samples from her massive hat collection, which she would put on display and share interesting stories about how she acquired each one. She would even let the ladies of our club try on each hat, allowing them to select one to keep and take home. Nora was a very kind and generous person. She will be deeply missed by all of us that knew her.
Steven Fox
Regional Director
Iowa CrossRoads Cadillac & LaSalle Club