By Bruce Rolfe
Being active in her community, an advocate for agriculture, and eager to teach others seemed to come naturally for Norma Pence.
The former lifelong resident of Climax passed away September 10, 2026 at the age of 93.
Born March 25, 1933 to Niles and Cecile Hagelshaw, Norma graduated from Climax High School in 1951.
After she married L.J. Leach in June, 1951 she went on to graduate from Michigan State University in March, 1957 with a BS in Human Ecology.
Norma and L.J. took over operating Avalon Farms in Climax from Norma’s parents Cecile and Niles in 1966.
The couple’s son, Larry and his wife Brigette eventually took over farm operations.
Norma immediately started making an impact as a teacher and 4-H leader, but she also found time to be active in her community while raising two children and helped out on the family farm when needed.
L.J. worked the land raising crops, hogs, sheep, chickens, beef, and dairy cattle and Norma kept farm records all while serving as a home economics teacher and 4-H leader.
But if she was needed for farm work, she didn’t hesitate to help.
“She bailed hay and she worked around the farm. My dad and Larry, they usually had some sort of help. She wasn’t called to be out there all the time. But when she was needed, she was able to help out with those things,” recalled the couple’s daughter Tammy Leach.
Norma was a home economics teacher for 33 years, with short stints in Bath and Climax-Scotts before she spent her final 28 years teaching home economics at Comstock. She retired in 1999.
The impact she had on youth extended to 4-H where she was a leader for more then 50 years.
Her energy even later in life amazed many. She was eager to help and get involved tirelessly in the community.
“I think that was just my mom. First of all, she would never sit still. Helping people, doing things for the community. I think that was just what she enjoyed doing. It kept her busy,” said Norma’s daughter, Tammy.
Growing up on a farm and later helping out on her own farm, Norma became active in the agricultural community as well.
She was a member of the Kalamazoo County Farm Bureau and member of the Newcomers Farm Bureau group.
She and her late husband L.J. were inducted into the Michigan Farmers Hall of Fame September 1, 1999. L.J. passed away August 19, 1999, just a few weeks before the Hall of Fame ceremony, but he learned the couple would be inducted into the Hall of Fame before he died.
“L.J. said it’s an honor to be honored in agriculture in our state of Michigan. I know how L.J. felt and he made me strong enough so I was able to accept this honor and with Larry’s help, it made it much easier for me to accept it,” said Norma after the 1999 Hall of Fame ceremony.
She later married George Pence in June, 2004.
She was also a member of the Climax United Methodist Church and Climax Rotary Ann. She was very active in both, helping with Rotary Club meeting meals and helping with church activities. She was also active in the local MSU Extension group.
She was also a very passionate Michigan State University fan, attending basketball games often.
Long time community members recalled when Norma was working on a project, she wanted it done right.
“We learned right from the start that with Norma, you did things correctly, you did them now, or you better get out of the way. Norma was a true MSU Spartan that we treasured,” said Mark Sinclair.
She is survived by her children Larry (Brigette) Leach, of Climax, Tammy Leach, of Lansing; Grandchildren Kelly Leach and Kevin Leach, Great Grandchildren Natalie Leach and Lane Leach; several nieces and nephews. She was proceeded in death by her husbands.
A funeral service will be held Friday, September 18, at 11 a.m., with a luncheon at the Education Building to follow. Burial in Prairie Home Cemetery will follow the luncheon.
Being active in her community, an advocate for agriculture, and eager to teach others seemed to come naturally for Norma Pence.
The former lifelong resident of Climax passed away September 10, 2026 at the age of 93.
Born March 25, 1933 to Niles and Cecile Hagelshaw, Norma graduated from Climax High School in 1951.
After she married L.J. Leach in June, 1951 she went on to graduate from Michigan State University in March, 1957 with a BS in Human Ecology.
Norma and L.J. took over operating Avalon Farms in Climax from Norma’s parents Cecile and Niles in 1966.
The couple’s son, Larry and his wife Brigette eventually took over farm operations.
Norma immediately started making an impact as a teacher and 4-H leader, but she also found time to be active in her community while raising two children and helped out on the family farm when needed.
L.J. worked the land raising crops, hogs, sheep, chickens, beef, and dairy cattle and Norma kept farm records all while serving as a home economics teacher and 4-H leader.
But if she was needed for farm work, she didn’t hesitate to help.
“She bailed hay and she worked around the farm. My dad and Larry, they usually had some sort of help. She wasn’t called to be out there all the time. But when she was needed, she was able to help out with those things,” recalled the couple’s daughter Tammy Leach.
Norma was a home economics teacher for 33 years, with short stints in Bath and Climax-Scotts before she spent her final 28 years teaching home economics at Comstock. She retired in 1999.
The impact she had on youth extended to 4-H where she was a leader for more then 50 years.
Her energy even later in life amazed many. She was eager to help and get involved tirelessly in the community.
“I think that was just my mom. First of all, she would never sit still. Helping people, doing things for the community. I think that was just what she enjoyed doing. It kept her busy,” said Norma’s daughter, Tammy.
Growing up on a farm and later helping out on her own farm, Norma became active in the agricultural community as well.
She was a member of the Kalamazoo County Farm Bureau and member of the Newcomers Farm Bureau group.
She and her late husband L.J. were inducted into the Michigan Farmers Hall of Fame September 1, 1999. L.J. passed away August 19, 1999, just a few weeks before the Hall of Fame ceremony, but he learned the couple would be inducted into the Hall of Fame before he died.
“L.J. said it’s an honor to be honored in agriculture in our state of Michigan. I know how L.J. felt and he made me strong enough so I was able to accept this honor and with Larry’s help, it made it much easier for me to accept it,” said Norma after the 1999 Hall of Fame ceremony.
She later married George Pence in June, 2004.
She was also a member of the Climax United Methodist Church and Climax Rotary Ann. She was very active in both, helping with Rotary Club meeting meals and helping with church activities. She was also active in the local MSU Extension group.
She was also a very passionate Michigan State University fan, attending basketball games often.
Long time community members recalled when Norma was working on a project, she wanted it done right.
“We learned right from the start that with Norma, you did things correctly, you did them now, or you better get out of the way. Norma was a true MSU Spartan that we treasured,” said Mark Sinclair.
She is survived by her children Larry (Brigette) Leach, of Climax, Tammy Leach, of Lansing; Grandchildren Kelly Leach and Kevin Leach, Great Grandchildren Natalie Leach and Lane Leach; several nieces and nephews. She was proceeded in death by her husbands.
A funeral service will be held Friday, September 18, at 11 a.m., with a luncheon at the Education Building to follow. Burial in Prairie Home Cemetery will follow the luncheon.
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