Norma Chapman

Norma Louise Wilkening, the daughter of William C. and Bertha (Alt) Wilkening was born on May 6, 1933, at Cissna Park, IL. She was baptized on June 7, 1933 in Cissna Park, and on June 8, 1947, she was confirmed in her Christian faith at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in St. James, MN, where she remained a member. Norma received her education in St. James and graduated from St. James High School. On June 14, 1952, Norma was united in marriage to Ralph William Chapman at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church. They made their home in St. James, and later divorced. Norma worked as a telephone switchboard operator, as a bookkeeper for Roadways Construction, as office manager for United Telephone, at United Merchantile, and as a sales clerk at Nelson Furniture. She was a wonderful and loving mother, a devoted friend to many people and diligently practiced her strong Christian Faith. She enjoyed staying busy with her many friends, and enjoyed traveling, cooking, reading, gardening, flowers, following the weather, and spending time with her family. Norma supported her family in all their sporting events and was their cheerleader. She also attended many baseball games with her family. Norma Chapman passed away Friday evening, May 19, 2006, a the age of 73 in St. James, MN after a courageous three year battle with ovarian cancer. Norma is survived by her son, Jason Chapman of Minneapolis, MN; her daughter, Sue and her husband LaMar Piper of St. James; four grandsons, Matthew, David, James and Zachary Piper; a sister, Nancy Nelson of Zimmerman, MN; five nieces and nephews, Jeff and his wife Linda Nelson, Natalie and her husband Jerry Osberg, Michael Nelson, Mark Nelson, and Joel and his wife Barbara Nelson; special friends, LaDonna Quick, Lorraine Behlmer, and Myrna Eppeland all of St. James; many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents.