Norma Shirley Scherrer

Norma Shirley (Wibstad,Strom) Scherrer was born September 25, 1933 in Brandon Township, the daughter of Simon and Nora (Gilbertson) Wibstad. Growing up on a small farm near Brandon, she loved the open outdoors. Some of her favorite memories were of fetching cattle from the pastures and milking the cows (before milkers). Norma graduated high school in 1951 and moved to Gaylord, MN to help her sis, brother-in-law, and another family as their mother had to be in bed after giving birth to her son. In September, she moved to New Ulm, MN and worked in a factory before turning 18 that fall. As her brother said, “A lota bumpy roads; good & bad.” She then moved back to Brandon and married Raymond Strom on October 17,1953 and was blessed with five children. Raymond and Norma were married for 34 years before Ray’s passing in December of 1987. Norma worked for many years at Bethany Nursing Home; a job she truly loved. On September 17th, 1994, Norma was united in marriage to Cortland Scherrer. Norma was active in her church, providing a variety of things for the annual church bazaar, most notably her chokecherry jelly and her rag rugs. After retiring from Bethany Nursing Home, she continued for many years volunteering her time there as well as Elder Network spreading her gift of compassion with those who needed a kind word or gentle touch. In September of 2023, Norma’s children, grand-children and great-grandchildren gathered around her and celebrated her 90th birthday. She was the first in her family to reach this age and was amazed that she could be, “that old, because she didn’t feel that old.”

Norma passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, being welcomed into Heaven with the words, “Well done good and faithful servant.” She is survived by her 4 children: Terry (Bill) Ness, Tammy (Jeff) Holte, Todd (Terri) Strom, Nora (Jerry) Goodburn; five step-children: Becky Nelson, Debbie Roers, Cindy (Larry) Swanstrom, Stan (Renata) Scherrer, and Scott Scherrer. Eleven grandchildren: Michelle (Nate) Irmen, Nicole (Jim) Botzet, Kayla (Mark) Witte, Leslie (Ashley) Ness, Ashley (Marshall) Messner, Kristin (Phil) Rosen, Doug (Chelsea) Holte, Tessa (Kris) Jesnowski, Linsey (Justin) Holten, Justin (Casey) Goodburn, Bailey (Jeremy) Sitek, thirty Great-grandchildren, plus 31 step-great-grandchildren, eight step-great-great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and special cousin, Marlene Buck.

She was preceded in death by her son Kerry Ray, husband Ray, great-grand daughter Kortni, great-grandson Hunter, husband Corky, step-daughter Lynette, step-grandson Rory, and step-son Lyle.

A special thank you to Douglas County Hospice for their care of mom these past 7 months helping her family walk this journey together.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 31, 2024, 10:00 - 11:00 AM at Chippewa Lutheran Church in Brandon with a Funeral Service at 11:00 AM at the church.  In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to Douglas County Hospice or Elder Network of Alexandria.  Private family burial at Chippewa Cemetery.