Norma Luther

FUNERAL SERVICES : 11:00 am on Monday, January 17, 2011 at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Park Rapids, MN.VISITATION : 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm on Sunday, January 16, 2011 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN and for one hour prior to the services at the church on Monday.INTERMENT : Greenwood Cemetery, Park Rapids, MNSURVIVORS : Her 4 sons: Lyle of Park Rapids, MN, Edward of Douglas, AZ, Brian (Debbie) of Park Rapids, MN and Henry of Park Rapids, MN; her 5 beloved grandchildren: John Thomas (Sarah) Luther and Luke (Molly) Luther all of Park Rapids, MN, Megan Luther of Winter Park, CO, Katie Luther working on her Masters degree at Eastern Tennesse State University in Johnson City, TN and Amy Luther a Senior at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN; 2 great granddaughters: Coley and Kasen; 2 sisters: Velma (Jim) Kimball of Scottsdale, AZ and Marcella (Bill) Day of Springfield, IL; brother, Dean (Carol) Anschutz of Staunton, IL. NORMA J. LUTHER April 7, 1931 ~ January 13, 2011 Norma Jean Luther, age 79 of Park Rapids, MN passed away peacefully at her home in the early morning hours of Thursday, January 13, 2011. Norma was born on April 7, 1931 in Staunton, Illinois to Edward and Verna (Foss) Anschutz. She attended country school near her home and grew into womanhood in the Staunton area. At the age of 17, she ventured north to Park Rapids, MN where her parents farmed. After moving to Park Rapids, she met a neighbor and friend of her family, John H. Luther. They were united in marriage on Norma"s birthday, April 7, 1952. This union was blessed with 5 sons: Lyle, Edward, Brian, Gary and Henry. Norma devoted herself to making a warm and loving home for her husband and sons. She was a wonderful cook and baker who will be long remembered for her delicious homemade chocolate cake. In addition to caring for her family, Norma also maintained a large brood of over 500 hens and washed and sold eggs to many loyal customers over the years. She helped with the constant demands of their Holstein dairy operation. Each spring she helped to plant and harvest a large vegetable garden which she nurtured to meet the needs of her growing family. She also was a skilled seamstress who was always kept busy patching clothes for her active boys. She enjoyed needlepoint, embroidery, playing cards and quilting. In her quiet times she enjoyed reading. It was not uncommon for Norma to cut out her favorite inspirational stories and save them to be read and shared with others. Over the years Norma was a member of the Park Rapids Bowling league and competed in tournaments in New Orleans and Reno with her teammates who were her close friends. She was a long time member of St. John"s Lutheran Church where she was involved in the ministry of the Ladies Aid. For the past 60 years, Norma has looked forward to an annual 4th of July picnic and fish fry with her neighbors, family and dear friends. In 1993, Norma endured the heartache of losing her son, Gary in a tragic automobile accident. Above all, Norma devoted her life to her husband, her sons and her grandchildren who she loved with all her heart. She will be lovingly remembered by her 4 sons: Lyle of Park Rapids, MN, Edward of Douglas, AZ, Brian (Debbie) of Park Rapids, MN and Henry of Park Rapids, MN; her 5 beloved grandchildren: John Thomas (Sarah) Luther and Luke (Molly) Luther all of Park Rapids, MN, Megan Luther of Winter Park, CO, Katie Luther working on her Masters degree at Eastern Tennesse State University in Johnson City, TN and Amy Luther a Senior at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN; 2 great granddaughters: Coley and Kasen; 2 sisters: Velma (Jim) Kimball of Scottsdale, AZ and Marcella (Bill) Day of Springfield, IL; brother, Dean (Carol) Anschutz of Staunton, IL; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Norma was preceded in death by her husband; her son, Gary; her parents; brother, Leland and 1 sister in childhood. Funeral services will be held 11 A.M. Monday, January 17, 2011 at St. John"s Lutheran Church in Park Rapids with the Reverend James Neubauer and Rev. Tim Heineke officiating. Connie Shubert will be the organist. The congregational hymns will be: "The Old Rugged Cross" and "I Know That My Redeemer Lives". The casket bearers will be: Gordy Vandeventer, Fred Vandeventer, Mike Grman, Dan Borree, and Wayne Schroeder. Honorary casket bearers will be JT, Sarah, Luke, Molly, Megan, Katie, and Amy. Interment will be made in the Luther family plot in the Greenwood Cemetery of Park Rapids, MN.