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Norma Heistand Obituary
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Norma Ann (Nordaker) Heistand was born on July 28, 1930, to John and Ella (Berg) Nordaker near Soldier, Iowa. She was one of seven children born and raised in Soldier as a ‘first generation’ Norwegian immigrant family, one of many in this little Iowa community. Norma was baptized and confirmed in the Soldier Lutheran Church. She graduated from Soldier High School in 1948. Norma married Elvin Heistand on August 4, 1949, at the Soldier Lutheran Church. The couple started farming in 1954. She helped Elvin on the farm, including fixing fences, sorting cattle, and loading the fat hogs, along with taking care of the boys and tending to the household duties.
Norma was a member of the Soldier Lutheran Church where she was active with the ladies’ aid. She looked forward to Fridays, because that was the day she got to get her hair done at Cindy’s. She enjoyed the boys' friends coming to the farm to hang out and play games at the kitchen table. When the grandchildren came along, she enjoyed fixing them meals, mending their clothes and keeping them out of harms way. She was always putting others ahead of herself. Later on, she looked forward to visits with the great grandchildren.
Norma died on Sunday, December 3, 2023, at Elmwood Premier Estates in Onawa, Iowa at the age of 93 years, four months, and five days.
Norma was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Elvin Heistand; in-laws, Roy and Minnie Heistand; two sons, Michael John and Richard Leroy Heistand; six siblings, and two sisters-in-law. She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Nancy Heistand of Woodbine, Iowa; grandson, Chad (Colleen) Heistand of Dunlap, Iowa; granddaughter, Stacie (Robert) Lane of Plain City, Ohio; grandson, Lex (Stephanie) Jacobson of Battle Creek, Iowa; six great grandchildren; eight great great grand-children; sister-in-law, Bernadine Raymond of Onawa, Iowa and several other relatives and friends.
In Lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the Soldier Lutheran Church in Memory of Norma.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
501 Normal St PO Box 139, Woodbine, IA 51579
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