Norma Osterman

Funeral services for Norma Osterman of Starbuck, formerly of Morris, MN will be held Friday, December 2, 2022 at 1:30 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Hancock, with Reverend Mark Kahrs officiating.  Visitation will be Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris and for one hour prior to services at the church on Friday. Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery in Hancock.

Norma Bernice Johnson, the ninth child of George and Dena (Weltzin) Johnson, was born April 24, 1927 in Renville County, Mohall, North Dakota, where she was baptized May, 1927 at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Following her father’s death in 1929, the family moved to Minnesota to be closer to relatives. In March, 1940, Norma’s mother, Dena passed away. In May, 1941, Norma was confirmed at Bethany Lutheran Church in Morris by Rev. Sverre Torgerson.

Norma’s first grade class was the first class in the new Longfellow School in Morris. She was a graduate of Morris High School Class of 1945. She went on to continue her education at the Minnesota Business School of Business in Business Machines. Following her education, Norma returned to Morris and worked at a couple local businesses doing office work until she was married. On July 5, 1947, Norma was united in marriage to Kenneth Agar Osterman at St. John’s Lutheran in Hancock by Rev. Duehlmeier. Together they raised their two daughters, Nancy and Bonnie on the farm. Watching them grow into young women and having families of their own was true joy for them. In 1993, the couple sold their farm site by Donnelly and moved to Morris, where they built their new home. Kenneth passed away in June, 1998. In 2005, Norma sold her home and moved to West Central Christian Homes, where she lived for 15 years.

Norma was a member of St. John’s Ladies Society, Homemakers Study Club for 50 years, Morris Birthday Club, VFW Auxiliary, where she just received her 50-year pin, and volunteered at SCMC gift shop and information desk. Norma enjoyed crocheting with the Donnelly group as well as the Morris Senior Center Group. She would also make calls to schedule appointments for the bloodmobile. Norma especially enjoyed the times she spent with her great-grandchildren. Her family and friends were her greatest pleasures, thanking God for the blessing she received every day.

Norma died on Sunday, November 27, 2022 at the Minnewaska Lutheran Home in Starbuck; she was 95 years old.

She is survived by her daughter: Bonnie Onnen of Pelican Rapids; five grandchildren: Duane Muckey, Dale Muckey, Brian (Amy) Muckey, Melissa (Mike) Hedlund and Nathan (Melissa) Magnuson; many great-grandchildren; sister-in-law: Carol Durkee and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years; her daughter: Nancy and her husband, Leroy Hanson; great-grandson, Brandon Magnuson; great-granddaughter, Kaylee Porter; five brothers and three sisters, including Fern Kolden and Doris Telkamp.

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Hancock and Minnewaska Lutheran Home in Starbuck, Sanctuary updating fund.