Rosell, Norma Jean (Gilson) -- 1918 - 2011
ROSELL, GILSON, AMUNDSON, JONES, PIERCE, RODRIGUES, MCCONKIE-ROSELL, BLACKLEDGE, SMITH, BARNUM, ALDRIDGE, DRAHN, STEINER, REEDER
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 7/14/2012 at 13:14:00
Norman [sic] Jean (Gilson) Rosell, age 93, of Decorah, Iowa died early Monday morning, May 2, 2011 at Aase Haugen Home in Decorah. Her daughter, Sondra, was with her. They were attended by the loving, caring staff of Aase Haugen Home where Norma had made her home the past eleven years enduring Alzheimer’s disease.
Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, May 7, 2011 at Congregational United Church of Christ in Decorah with Rev. Matthew H. Perkins officiating. Inurnment will be in Phelps Cemetery in Decorah.
Visitation begins on Saturday at 10:30 A.M. at the church. Fjelstul Funeral Home is serving the family.
Norma Jean Rosell was born February 21, 1918 in Waukon, Iowa, the daughter of Orrie and Mary (Amundson) Gilson. She was raised on the family farm and educated in the Waukon schools.
Norma was united in marriage to O. Vance Rosell on July 4, 1940 in Decorah, Iowa at the Congregational Parsonage. This union was blessed with three daughters: Judith Ann, Sondra Jean and Mary Lucretia, and one son, Robert Vance.
Norma was active in Women’s Fellowship and Petra Circle at the Congregational United Church of Christ where she taught Sunday School and Bible School for many years. She volunteered countless hours to Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts when the children were young.
Norma was an avid reader and walked weekly to the Public Library – never learning to drive until age 50. She enjoyed song birds, her flower garden (especially gladiolas), baking, and nurturing her children and grandchildren.
Norma resided at Aase Haugen Home in Decorah where she made her home with her devoted husband, Vance, from 2000 until his passing on November 11, 2007, and to the present time.
Norma is survived by her children: Judith (Randy) Jones of Rochester, MN, Sondra (Darrell) Pierce of Decorah, IA, Mary (José) Rodriguez of Caracas, Venezuela, and Robert (Dr. Allyn McConkie-Rosell) of Chapel Hill, NC; seven grandchildren: Dr. Aaron Blackledge of San Francisco, CA, Scott (Lori) Pierce of Decorah, Cara (Todd) Smith of Thomson, IL, Bartt (Nicole) Pierce of Roseville, MN, Natasha (Christopher) Barnum of Sacramento, CA, Howard Rosell of Charleston, SC and Bruce Rosell of Elon, NC; eight great-grandchildren: Breanne and Bryce Pierce, Soleil and Hogan Smith, Dijah and Hayden Pierce, and Theodore and Eli Barnum; one sister, Dorothy (Norman) Aldridge of Decorah; three sisters-in-law: Irene Gilson of Caledonia, MN, Evelyn Gilson of Waukon, IA and Betty Rosell of Cedar Rapids, IA; and by nieces and nephews.
Norma was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband of 67 years, O. Vance Rosell; three sisters: Myrtle Drahn, Delores Steiner and Carol Reeder; and three brothers: Lawrence, John and Dale Gilson.
Memorials may be directed to Aase Haugen Homes, 4 Ohio Street, Decorah, IA 52101 or Decorah Public Library, 202 Winnebago Street, Decorah, IA 52101.
Source: Fjelstul Funeral Home database
Phelps Cemetery
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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