Norma Ressler

Norma I Ressler

Age 102 of Stillwater, passed away surrounded by family on April 3rd, 2024.

She is preceded in death by her husband Harry jr; parents; 9 siblings; daughter-in-law Pam; and son-in-law Jan.

She will be sadly missed by her children Harry III(Elizabeth), J. Daniel, Charles(Merry Joy), Julia, and Richard(Gayle); 9 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren; and many extended family and friends.

Norma was born on their family farm being delivered by her father Martin. Many of her fondest memories came from growing up on the farm with her nine brothers and sisters.

In 1942 she met Harry Ressler while she was working at Wimpie's in Park Rapids, MN. They were married in Minot, ND on June 12th, 1943. Moving back to Park Rapids in less than a year, her sons Harry, Daniel and Charles were born in 1944,1946 and 1947. The family then moved to Minneapolis where daughter Julia was born in 1949 and then Cokato where son Richard was born in 1952. These moves were followed by moves to Bemidji and back to Park Rapids before settling into Stillwater in 1958.

Norma had a wide range of work history, from waitress to dress saleswoman at Janda's in Stillwater to clerk for the Minnesota Highway Department to finally retiring as a bookkeeper from Gillette Childrens Hospital.

Faith in God was a major part of Norma's life. She would say when she died that she would first meet Jesus and then her mother and all her relatives and friends. Of this there was no doubt. Her early connections were in her birth family and Sell Lake Lutheran Church at Shevlin, MN. Since moving to Stillwater, she had been a member of Ascension Episcopal Church, where she sang in the choir, served on the vestry and chaired the outreach committee. She loved the church and she loved its people.

Her other love was family. Whether it was her children, her brothers and sisters, or the myriad of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins etc, she loved connecting with them and sharing in their lives. Genealogy was one of her hobbies that she explored for many years.

Family interment in Park Rapids will take place in June.

Memorials preferred to Ascension Church, Stillwater or Doctors without Borders.