Norma J. Wollesen

NORMA J. WOLLESEN JAN. 29, 1931 - MARCH 13, 2003

Norma J. Wollesen, age 72, was born January 29, 1931, at the home of her grandparents, Robert and Anna Fike, in rural Modesto, and passed away March 13, 2003 at the home of her daughter.

She graduated from Oakdale High School in 1948 and attended Modesto Jr. College before beginning employment with the law firm Griffen & Cardoza ( subsequently Griffen, Conway & Jones), in 1949. In May 1978 while still in the employ of Griffen, Conway & Jones, she received a Juris Doctor Degree from Humphreys College School of Law. After being admitted to the practice of law in California in January 1979, she began her legal career as an associate attorney with the law firm of Griffen, Conway & Jones where she remained through 1986. She began employment in January 1987 as a staff attorney in the Probate Department of the Los Angeles Superior Court which continued until her retirement in March 1999.

She was a member of Stanislaus County Legal Secretaries Association, Soroptomist International of Modesto, Stanislaus County Bar Association, California State Bar, American Bar Association and of the Grace Lutheran Church. She served on the Board of Directors of Casa de Modesto Retirment Center and was a Past President of Modesto Junior College Foundation. While her children were growing up, she and her husband, Arthur H. Wollesen, Jr., were active in 4-H.

She is survived by her daughter, Gail L. Schiffman and son-in-law, Jim Schiffman, of Waterford, California; her daughter Nancy E. Souza of Hilmar, California, and her brothers, Lowell R. Sise and Donald E. Sise, both of Modesto, California, and grandchildren, Marilyn & Matthew Souza and Ryan & Megan Schiffman. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur H. Wollesen, Jr. and by her son-in-law, Daryl Souza.

Funeral services will be at Salas Brothers Funeral Chapel, Modesto, California at 10:00 a.m. Thursday March 20, 2003. Burial will be at Lakewood Memorial Park, Hughson. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the chapel.

Remembrances may be made to Casa de Modesto Retirement Center, 1745 Eldena Way, Modesto., 95350; Modesto Junior College Foundation, 435 College Ave., Modesto, 95350 or American Cancer Society, 1604 Ford Ave. Suite 8, Modesto, 95350.

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