1934
Norma
2019
Norma Jean Markussen
March 30, 1934 — July 14, 2019
NORMA J. MARKUSSEN, 85, of Ogallala, passed away July 14, 2019, at her home in Ogallala.
Norma was born March 30, 1934, at Lodgepole Nebraska to John and La Wanda (Million) Oliverius. She graduated from Lodgepole High School and went on to attend beauty school in Hastings.
On October 15, 1953, Norma married her highschool sweetheart, Junior Markussen, at the Lutheran Church in Lodgepole. Their union was blessed with three children Darrel, Dick, and Denise. Norma worked as a ranch cook prior to the family's move to Ogallala in the mid-1960s. She subsequently went to work at TRW, where her career spanned over thirty years.
Norma had a depression-era childhood that largely shaped the kind of woman she would become. She didn't waste things, no matter how small. She had a tremendous capacity for hard work, which was matched only by her capacity for love. Norma would work long hours at TRW, and come home and take the kids out to the lake nearly every night, even though she was petrified to be in the water. Despite a staunch exterior, she was very loving and was reluctant to speak ill of others. Norma was a fabulous cook, a skill that came by way of necessity in her youth, but was very much enjoyed by all of her family throughout the years. She loved antiques and auctions, raising roses, and doting over her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who added a wonderful dimension to her days. The jewels of her life would have been her family, and many of her fondest memories were set to the music of laughing children and grandchildren, and the happy chatter of people around her table playing a good game of cards.
Norma was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Junior; and her sister, Lamilla.
Survivors include her children, Darrel Markussen of Ogallala; Dick (Paula) Markussen of Ogallala, and Denise Nelsen (Rick Pelletier) of Julesburg, CO; three grandchildren, Daniel, Brenda, and Jessica; seven great-grandchildren; sister, Arlene Bentley of Brush, CO; brother, Lee (Nola) Oliverius of Marsland; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Memorials are suggested to the Keith County Food Pantry in Norma's memory. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com.
Memorial services will be held on Friday, July 19, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home chapel in Ogallala with Pastor Curtis Tschetter officiating. Interment of cremains will be in the Arthur Cemetery.
Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.
Norma was born March 30, 1934, at Lodgepole Nebraska to John and La Wanda (Million) Oliverius. She graduated from Lodgepole High School and went on to attend beauty school in Hastings.
On October 15, 1953, Norma married her highschool sweetheart, Junior Markussen, at the Lutheran Church in Lodgepole. Their union was blessed with three children Darrel, Dick, and Denise. Norma worked as a ranch cook prior to the family's move to Ogallala in the mid-1960s. She subsequently went to work at TRW, where her career spanned over thirty years.
Norma had a depression-era childhood that largely shaped the kind of woman she would become. She didn't waste things, no matter how small. She had a tremendous capacity for hard work, which was matched only by her capacity for love. Norma would work long hours at TRW, and come home and take the kids out to the lake nearly every night, even though she was petrified to be in the water. Despite a staunch exterior, she was very loving and was reluctant to speak ill of others. Norma was a fabulous cook, a skill that came by way of necessity in her youth, but was very much enjoyed by all of her family throughout the years. She loved antiques and auctions, raising roses, and doting over her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who added a wonderful dimension to her days. The jewels of her life would have been her family, and many of her fondest memories were set to the music of laughing children and grandchildren, and the happy chatter of people around her table playing a good game of cards.
Norma was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Junior; and her sister, Lamilla.
Survivors include her children, Darrel Markussen of Ogallala; Dick (Paula) Markussen of Ogallala, and Denise Nelsen (Rick Pelletier) of Julesburg, CO; three grandchildren, Daniel, Brenda, and Jessica; seven great-grandchildren; sister, Arlene Bentley of Brush, CO; brother, Lee (Nola) Oliverius of Marsland; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Memorials are suggested to the Keith County Food Pantry in Norma's memory. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com.
Memorial services will be held on Friday, July 19, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home chapel in Ogallala with Pastor Curtis Tschetter officiating. Interment of cremains will be in the Arthur Cemetery.
Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Norma Jean Markussen, please visit our flower store.
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