Norma Ross

Norma Ross, 81, of Crookston, MN, died Friday, February 21, 2014, at the home of her daughter, Kristin, in East Grand Forks. With great grace and peace, she courageously battled leukemia for the past several weeks. Norma Jean Hovelsrud was born in Crookston on May 23, 1932, the fifth of six children of the union of Lawrence and Anne (Carlson) Hovelsrud. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith, and grew up on the family farm, south of Crookston. Norma attended Crookston public schools and graduated from Central High School in 1950. For several years she held a clerical position with Polk County Social Services in Crookston before transferring to the Hennepin County Social Services Department in Minneapolis in 1954. On April 15, 1955 Norma was united in marriage to Gerhard Arthur Ross. The couple lived and farmed near Fisher, MN, and together raised six children. Five of the kids came in their first seven years of marriage, with the baby...Kelly, arriving six and a half years later. Needless to say, Norma had her hands full, but would not have traded places with anybody. For many years the couple's lives centered around farming. Sunday mornings would find the family faithfully attending Trinity Lutheran Church in Fisher, and the rest of the week keeping up with school activities including basketball, football, and volleyball games; band concerts and PTA meetings. An immense sadness came to the entire Ross family in 1987 when Kelly was diagnosed with leukemia. After months of treatments, hope and then heartache, Kelly passed away on October 2nd. Three and a half years later Gerhard retired from farming, turning over the operation to his sons. He and Norma moved to Crookston, and became devoted members of Crookston's Trinity Lutheran Church. Norma was active in the Mary Guild Bible Study and WELCA, served on the building committee during the planning for Trinity's new addition, and later chaired the church's kitchen remodeling project. Norma was welcomed into the Crookston Chapter of PEO, a Sisterhood devoted to providing educational opportunities for young women. From this organization many wonderful friendships were formed. She was a member of the RiverView Hospital Association Auxiliary and for several years chaired the cookie-walk, held each December. Norma belonged to the Home Study Club for many years, and was past president of the West Polk County Home Study Council. She also held memberships in the Auxiliaries of the American Legion and DAV, volunteered for RSVP, and participated in Golden Link activities. Norma and Gerhard enjoyed travel in the United States, along with trips to Norway and many other European countries. Gerhard passed away on August 26, 2011. Norma remained at the heart and center of her growing family, trusting Jesus for daily guidance and the ability to serve her Lord by serving others for as many years as he would choose to give her. Her legacy of love, generosity, compassion and energy for service will be very lovingly remembered and forever missed by her family and all who shared in her life. Norma leaves five children and their spouses: Kevin and Debra Ross of Fisher, MN, Janna Ross and her husband, John Clark, of Maplewood, MN, Joel and Kristi Ross of East Grand Forks, MN, Kristin and Grant Schiller of East Grand Forks, and Jay and Jennifer Peterson-Ross of Crookston, MN; grandchildren and step-grandchildren: Andrew (Michelle) Ross, Travis (Jessica) Ross, Evan (Bailey) Dimke, Bria Dimke, Katherine (Peter) Duane, Thomas Rohrer, Brian (Audrey) Clark, Allen Clark, Kevin Clark, Alyssa (Luke) Wentz, Jessica Christenson, Nicole (Ross) Johnson, Jake Schiller, Jaelynn Ross, Lacee Peterson, Lexie Peterson, Luke Peterson, and Maretta (Calvin) McMullen; two great-grandchildren, Broden and Brielle Ross. She is also survived by four siblings: Lorraine Tattle of St. Cloud, MN, Morris (Twyla) Hovelsrud of Crookston, Lois Bagley of Crookston, and Joan Westlake of Detroit Lakes, MN; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Besides, Gerhard, her beloved husband of fifty-six years, and their dear daughter, Kelly, Norma was preceded in death by her parents, parents-in-law, Arthur and Elizabeth, and sister, Betty Armacost. Blessed is the memory of Norma Jean Ross. The funeral service for Norma Ross will be held at 10:30 am, Monday, March 3, 2014, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Crookston with The Rev. Greg Isaacson and The Rev. Jo Gast, officiating. Visitation will be at the Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home on Sunday from 4-6:00 pm, with a 6:00 pm prayer service, and also at the church for one hour prior to the funeral. Interment will be in the Oakdale Cemetery, Crookston. Memorials may be given in Norma's name to the Trinity Lutheran Church, 205 South Broadway, Crookston, MN 56716



Funeral Home: Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home 615 South Minnesota Street Crookston, MN US 56716

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Previous Events

Visitation
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Service
Monday, March 3, 2014
cemetery
Monday, March 3, 2014