Norma Lee Samuelson, age 78, of Cokato, died Friday, March 25, 2011, at Meeker County Memorial Hospital in Litchfield.
She was born April 6, 1932, in Minneapolis KS, to Vern and Verna (Disney) Johnson. Norma grew up there and graduated from Minneapolis High School in 1950.
After high school, Norma attended Brown-Mackie business school in Salina, KS.
As a young lady, she moved to Menahga, MN with her parents.
Norma married Raymond C. Samuelson June 7 1952. To their union, five sons and one daughter were born.
The couple farmed at Menahga on Ray’s home farm until 1966. They moved to West Concord, MN, where Ray was employed by Appliance and Refrigeration Company, and attended Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis.
In 1970, the family moved to Cokato; and in 1973, Ray and Norma opened their own business, Ray’s Refrigeration, which they operated until 1999. Norma was an intricate part of the business, putting her secretary and bookkeeping skills to work, as a full partner with Ray in the business.
Norma enjoyed sewing, fishing, gardening, and writing. Most of all, she enjoyed her family, and her dog, Nicky.
She was a member of the First Apostolic Lutheran Church of Cokato and Dassel.
Norma is survived by her children: Michael of Buffalo, Dennis (Linda), Jerry (Cecilia), David (Suzie), and Cindy (Melvin) Nowak, all of Cokato; 17 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Virginia Kelley of Minneapolis, KS.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray; her parents, Vern and Verna Johnson; a son, Stephen; and a brother, Richard.
The funeral service took place Wednesday, March 30 at 2 p.m. at First Apostolic Lutheran Church of Dassel, with interment at Cokato Finnish Cemetery.
The Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home handled the arrangements.