Norma January

Norma Idalia Esparza was born May 31, 1966 at Brownsville, Texas to parents Roberto and Lidia (Arreola) Esparza. Norma grew up in Matamoros, Tams, Mexico. She graduated from high school in Mexico and received her teaching certificate in fashion design at Academia Mexico. She worked as a kindergarten aide in Mexico for a couple years before working as a cahier at her brother's sea food restaurant before moving to Minnesota in July 1992. On October 29, 1993 Norma married Modest Garza January. The couple made their home in St. James. She worked at Tony Downs in Madelia until 1993 when she went to work for Swift where she worked until they started their family. Returning to work in 1996, she worked as a head start helper then back to Tony Downs in St. James where she worked until the time of her death. Norma was a collector; she collected mugs, key chains, little bells, apple and frog knick-knacks and loved to decorate her home both inside and outside for any holidays. Norma was a loving mother, wife, daughter and friend. She will be greatly missed. Norma died on Saturday, October 20, 2007 at Methodist Hospital in Rochester following a courageous battle with liver disease. She is survived by her husband Modest January of St. James, children, Joshua, Sasha and Ace January all of St. James, her father Roberto Esparza of Brownsville, TX, brothers Roberto Esparza, Jr of Brownsville, Carlos Esparza of Brownsville, Genaro Esparza of Loredo, TX, sisters, Alma Dorantes of Siloam Springs, AR and Silvia Tellez of St. James. She was preceded in death by her mother.