Rowland O. Norman, 91, of Montevideo, died October 14, 1994 at Luther Haven Nursing Home in Montevideo.
Funeral services will be held Monday, October 17, at 2:00 P.M. at Saron Lutheran Church. Rev. Wayne Mensing and Rev. James McCalmant will officiate and burial will be in the church cemetery.
Visitation will be held Sunday afternoon and evening at the Anderson Funeral Home in Montevideo and with the family from 6-8:00 P.M.
Rowland O. Norman was born March 31, 1903 on the home farm in Sparta Township, Chippewa County, MN the son of Ole N. and Bertha (Anderson) Norman. He was baptized May 17, 1903, confirmed, and a life long member of Saron Lutheran Church. Rowland attended the Black Oak School, Dist. #7 and began farming after graduating from the 8th grade. He was united in marriage with Gertrude Branum June 7, 1931. Together they farmed in Camp Release Township and Leenthrop Township. They remained on the farm until 1989 when they moved to Montevideo and in the fall of 1991 became residents of Luther Haven Nursing Home. Gertrude died August 16, 1994. Rowland was an active member of Saron Lutheran Church where he served as caretaker for over 30 years. He was a lifetime member of the Chippewa County Historical Society and worked with his wife as caretaker of the Swensson Farm Museum for 17 years. Rowland served on many boards including: Wegdahl Co-op Elevator, Co-op Grocery Store, Montevideo Co-op Canning Association, and Farmers Union. After retiring from farming, Rowland liked to tell the stories about his champion corn-husking days and also became the "Master Ropemaker". He always said he never made a rope he couldn't give away.
He is survived by one daughter, Ann Rachel Stevens and her husband Allard of Granite Falls, MN; two sons: Richard and his wife Gloria of Rochester, MN and David and his wife Kaye of Redwood Falls, MN; eight grandchildren: Susan Hamre and Martin Keller of Minneapolis, MN, Robert and Heidi Hamre of Becker, MN, Eric and Debbie Norman of Perris, CA, Signe and Thomas Walker of Burnsville, MN, Hal Norman of Burnsville, MN, Todd and Kim Norman of Minneapolis, MN, Scott and Sarah Norman of Mountain View, CA, and Beret Norman of Northampton, MA; two great-grandchildren: Sijne Gloria Norman of Perris, CA and Siri Hamre Keller of Minneapolis, MN; one sister, Ella Gniffke of Montevideo; and one brother, Ole Norman of Montevideo.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Gertrude; one granddaugher, Stacy Liv Norman; three brothers; and three sisters.