Obituary of Norma F. Kolstad

Norma Fern Joyce Kolstad, age 92, of Wisconsin Rapids, died Sunday, November 2, 2014, at Ministry Home Care House of the Dove, Marshfield, Wisconsin. Services will be at 12:00 P.M. on Saturday, November 8, 2014 at First English Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Rapids, 440 Garfield Street. Entombment will be in Forest Hill Mausoleum. Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. on Saturday at the church. Herman-Taylor Funeral Home will be assisting the family. Norma was born August 22, 1922 in Auburndale to Oscar and Clara (Halvorson) Anderson. She married Harold Kolstad on August 22, 1944 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Auburndale. The couple was blessed with 69 years of marriage. Norma attended Pleasant Hill Rural School; graduated from Auburndale High School and Stevens Point Teachers College. She taught in one-room rural and Auburndale grade schools, taught Sunday school and summer church school, and was active in Webster 4-H. She and her husband farmed in rural Arpin area raising four children. After moving to Wisconsin Rapids, she became a member of First English Lutheran Church and Sarah Circle. She was a charter member of the Sons of Norway Elvedal Lodge serving as Membership Chairman and Historian. She enjoyed attending writing classes at the Lowell Senior Center. She and her husband did some traveling; especially enjoying trips to Norway to visit relatives. She delighted in her Norwegian heritage, sharing the foods and traditions, and doing Rosemaling. Above all, her special delight was her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Norma is survived by three sons: Kenneth (Maureen) of Arpin; Russell (Mary Lippert) of Waunakee; Darrell (Jane) of Madison; one daughter, Dawn (Randy) Bassuener of Boulder Junction; six grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren; and one sister ,Beatrice Burnkrant of Arvada, Colorado. She was preceded in death by her husband (January 4, 2014), her parents, and one sister, Ethel Valiska. Memorials may be given in her name to: Ministry Home Care-Hospice and sent to Hospice Donations, 303 West Upham Street, Marshfield, WI 54449. The family wishes to thank everyone involved in her care during her final days, and especially Dr. Christine Uber and the loving staff of the House of the Dove in Marshfield, WI. Online condolences may be expressed at www.taylorfuneralhome.net