Norma D. Hartzell

Norma D. Hartzell, 91,  a longtime rural Stewartville,MN farmwife and homemaker, died on Wednesday (November 27, 2019) at the Stewartville Care Center, where she had been a resident for the past 2 years.

Norma Dorothy Christianson was born on December 29, 1927, in Blooming Prairie,MN to Obert and Irene(Johnson)  Christianson. She grew up on the family farm near Blooming Prairie and attended rural school and graduated from Blooming Prairie H.S in 1946. She went on to receive her teaching degree and was a teacher at country schools until she was married.  Norma married Robert Hartzell on June 10, 1950. Following their marriage they lived on their rural Racine farm throughout their lives except for the six years when they moved to Babbitt, MN in 1955 and then returned to their farm in 1961. Robert died in 1997 and at that time Norma moved into Stewartville. Norma was a long-time member of Zion Lutheran Church in Stewartville. She had strong faith and read the Bible daily. Norma was a social person and enjoyed being with friends and family. She also loved gardening and canning, reading, genealogy, garage sales, scrapbooking and photos.

Norma is survived by 9 children - Carol (Jerry) Cepelak of Hayfield,MN; Russell (Julie Kassner) of Rochester,MN; Harriet (Allan) Severson of Blooming Prairie; Doris (Bob) Byro of Rochester; Mary (Danny) Lawson of Stewartville; Elaine (Dave) Eide of Kasson,MN; Dale (Helen) Hartzell of Wabasha,MN; Jim (Jana) Hartzell of Lime Springs,IA and Sharon (Dave) Sell of Boise, ID; 19 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and 1 sister - Orene Dennis of Blooming Prairie. Norma was preceded in death by her husband - Robert, 1 grandson – Joseph Cepelak, her parents and 2 brothers - Duane Christianson and Curt Christianson.

The funeral service for Norma will be on Wednesday - (December 4, 2019) at 11:00 a.m. at  Zion Lutheran Church in Stewartville with Rev. Byron Meline officiating. Burial will follow  in Woodlawn Cemetery. A time of visitation for family and friends will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m on Tuesday (December 3, 2019), at Zion Lutheran Church and 1 hr. prior to the service at the church on Wednesday morning. Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray F.H. in Stewartville. Condolences and memories of Norma are welcomeat www.griffin-gray.com

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