Norma Louise Smith

Norma Louise Smith age 93, of Madelia, MN died on November 20, 2023, at Madelia Health - Hospital.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Sturm Funeral Home, Madelia Chapel, followed by Funeral Mass at the St. Mary's Catholic Church, Madelia, at 1:00 pm. Interment will be at the Calvary Cemetery in Madelia.

Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in Madelia.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

Norma, the daughter of Louis and Martha (Gentzmer) Wandersee was born on September 5, 1930 in Mankato, MN. She attended elementary school in North Mankato and graduated from Good Thunder High School in 1948. She worked as a waitress and babysitter while in high school and worked in a canning factory and in the hospital in St. James, MN before her marriage.  Norma married Leonard Smith on June 22, 1949 at the Holy Family Catholic Church.  This marriage had 3 children.  Leonard farmed with his brother, Paul, for 19 years before moving to Madelia in November 1964 where he took over the old blacksmith shop from John Mayr.  Norma kept busy raising their family as well as book keeping for Leonard's black smith shop and she also worked at St. Mary's School. Norma was active in the St. Mary's Catholic Church serving in several offices of the Council of Catholic Women, both on the parish and area level.  She belonged to the Ceresco Extension Club for many years as well as the Ceresco Birthday Club.  She has been a member of the American Legion Aux. for 39 years holding several offices in the Madelia Unit in the 1960's.  She also became a member of the Lewisville Unit.

Norma is survived by her son, David Smith of Madelia; daughters, Barbara Reed of Hollandale, MN and Jean Hansen of Shakopee, MN; sister-in-law, Marie Smith SSND; 6 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.  She is preceded in death by her parents; husband Leonard Smith; sisters, Ida Vanderwal, Alma Severson and son-in-law, Glenn Hansen.