Norma Arlene Larson was born on the family farm in Middleville Township on March 21, 1925 to Emil and Edith (Johnson) Larson. She grew up on the farm and graduated from Howard Lake High School in 1943. After high school she worked at a variety of jobs in several locations including California and Minneapolis.
On February 24, 1951 Norma married Carl Carlson at Mt. Hermon Lutheran Church. Their 68 years together were blessed with 5 children. Norma made being a caring wife and mother her main calling until the children were in upper elementary and high school. At that time she added caring for the residents at the Buffalo Retirement Center to her job description. She worked at the Retirement Center until Carl retired from his job at Minnesota Rubber. After retirement Carl and Norma were very active in their children’s and grandchildren’s lives. They also traveled to several places. Norma was a member at Mt. Hermon Lutheran Church her entire life. She was very active in Sunday School, Luther League and Ladies Aid. Two of her favorite pastimes were playing piano and putting jig saw puzzles together. Norma was a woman whose life was full of grace, compassion and helping others. The things that mattered most were her faith in God, her husband, her children, her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Norma passed away at Cokato Manor on November 7, 2021. She had reached the age of 96 years, 7 months and 17 days.
Survivors include her children: Barbara (Richard) Barsness, Joan (Stephen) Schesvold, Steven (Jane) Carlson, Kathleen (Scott) Banta, Janet (Jon) Saksa. 16 grandchildren: Betsey Alessi, Amy (Jeff) Boyle, Sarah (Evan) Anderson, Mark (Amanda) Barsness, Elizabeth (Rob) Driftmeyer, Jenny Schesvold, Jordan Schesvold, Stephanie (Luther) Kemp, Elizabeth (Kalin) Kauppila, Andrew (Christine) Banta, Jacob (Rachel) Banta, Lucas (Lisa) Banta, Molly (Shaphan) Kirkpatrick, Heidi (Jacob) Nelson, Shelly (Caleb) Spitler, Brian (Abi) Saksa and 32 great grandchildren. She is further survived by 3 sisters-in-law Genevieve Larson, Joan (Beeb) Larson, and LuAnn Larson.
Norma is preceded in death by: her husband, Carl; parents Emil & Edith Larson and parents-in-law Frank & Alvina Carlson. Siblings and spouse: Lorraine (Donald) Carlson, Gordon Larson, Philip Larson, Daniel Larson. Siblings-in-law and spouses: Andrew (Evelyn), Waldor (Millie), Lawrence (Billie; Florence), Richard, Ellsworth (Edna), Verona (Bernie) Broman. Grandson-in-law Mario Alessi.
Memorials preferred to Mt. Hermon Lutheran Church or Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 27, 2021 at Albion Evangelical Free Church north of Cokato, with visitation 1 hour prior to services at church. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato & Howard Lake, MN 320-286-2534, www.swansonpeterson.com