Norma Footh

Norma was born in Mankato, MN to Gladys (Pearson) Knoss and Fredrick Knoss. She grew up on the family farm and attended Rapidan High School, just outside Mankato. While at Mankato State Teachers' College, she met her future husband, Willard Footh. While he served during WWII, Norma taught for two years in Mapleton. After the war, they were married at the Methodist Church in Mankato. Willard's teaching jobs took them to Lamberton and Redwood Falls.

In 1958 they, along with their three children, moved to Rochester where Willard began his career in Insurance. He was with Prudential Insurance until his untimely death in 1987. Norma received her degree from Winona State University as well as her certification in Special Education and taught in the Rochester Public Schools for 24 years until her retirement. She was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa, an educational sorority.

In retirement, Norma served as a volunteer in a number of civic groups including 24 years in the Methodist Hospital Gift Shop Auxiliary where she amassed 4,000 hours, the Friends of Mayowood, Civic League Day Nursery, and the Ronald McDonald House. A member of Christ United Methodist Church for 60 plus years, she volunteered on various committees including the food service.

Norma and Willard enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, Europe - Great Britain, Switzerland, and Norway, as well as, Japan. For her 80th birthday, she and her family took a cruise to Alaska and she cruised the Hawaiian Islands.

A true Minnesota girl, she lived her entire life in Minnesota and loved the out-ofdoors, taking a walk almost every day. The family often gathered at Gull Lake in July and she was, until recently, able to travel and visit her children and grandchildren. She was an avid bridge player, loved doing the crossword puzzle, and cheered on her favorite teams: The Twins and Vikings.

In 2013, Norma moved to Madonna Towers and quickly became active in the library, volunteering in the Market, and with the Foundation. She thoroughly enjoyed the activities and her new friends. She peacefully died in her Madonna Towers apartment surrounded by her children.

She is predeceased in death by her seven siblings: Forrest Knoss, Kenneth Knoss, Homer Knoss, Wayne Knoss, Marcella Knoss, Joyce Knoss Edwards, and JoAnn Knoss Prosser and her beloved husband Willard. She is survived by her children: Bradley (Mary) Footh, Brenda (Scott) Duyan, Elizabeth Footh (Roger Martin) and her grandsons: Peter (Georgia Young) Duyan and Joshua Duyan, and her precious greatgrandchildren: Joshua Young-Duyan and Frances Young-Duyan. Also, she is survived by two step-grandchildren and four step-great grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.

She was always grateful for Dr. Brennan, her Mayo Clinic physician, for carefully listening to her wishes and taking such good care of her health and well-being. Her care at Madonna Towers including her rehab work following surgeries, made all the difference in her quality of life. At the end of her life, Norma was lovingly supported by Seasons Hospice. Norma's family is enormously grateful for these people.

Private burial will be in Sterling Cemetery in Mapleton MN.

A Funeral Service will be held at Christ United Methodist Church at 11:00 on Monday, December 2, 2024. Memorials to a place of your choice. Or Norma suggests: Thrive Child Care and Family Resource Center at Christ United Methodist Church or Seasons Hospice. No flowers please.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Footh family.