Norma Holub

Norma Jean (Billing) Holub was born on January 12th, 1953 in Lisbon, ND to Robert and Helen (Erickson) Billing of Fort Ransom, ND. Norma attended Fort Ransom School through the 8th grade and graduated from Lisbon High School in 1971. During this time, she worked for Art and Verna Holub on their farm. This is where she met the love of her life, Frank, who she married on September 18th, 1971. Norma and Frank made their home on the farm in rural Verona where they worked hard farming row crops, ranching, and milking dairy cattle.

In 1975, they welcomed their first child, Nancy Lynn. In 1976, they welcomed their son James Frank (Jimmy) and in 1979, their youngest son John Joseph (Jay) was born. Norma and Frank loved their kids dearly and cherished their time spent together. In 1985, tragedy struck the family when they lost their son Jimmy in a farming accident.

In 1986, Norma decided to start working off the farm as a CNA at the Oakes Good Samaritan Society. Her time working as a CNA inspired her to continue her journey in healthcare. She attended the NDSCS Satellite Nursing Program where she obtained her Associate of Science degree in Practical Nursing in 1990. After graduating, Norma continued her nursing career at the Oakes Good Samaritan Society, providing compassionate care to her "favorite old people" until she retired briefly in 2018. Her passion for nursing compelled her to return to work in 2019, and she joined the Lisbon CHI Swing Bed Team at the CHI Lisbon Hospital. Norma worked nightshift there until the time of her unexpected passing on October 18th, 2025. Norma's love for the profession filled her heart with years of happiness and joy, and she took great pride in caring for others and their families. She also met many life-long friends during her career as a nurse. Her favorite saying was "once a nurse, always a nurse."

Norma's favorite thing was her family. Her 8 precious grandchildren were her most prized possession. She loved them dearly and enjoyed spending time with them. Norma also loved watching the game show network, especially The Wheel of Fortune.

Norma's hard-working and caring hands came to rest when God called her home unexpectedly on October 18th, 2025 surrounded by her loving family and under the special care of the "top-notch" nurses at Essentia Health Hospital in Fargo, ND.

Norma is preceded in death by her son – James (Jimmy) Holub, parents – Robert and Helen Billing, sister – Vickie Johnson, in-laws – Art and Verna Holub, brother-in-law – Lewis Holub, nieces – Nicole Holub and Heather Olson, nephew – Keith Olson, and her beloved dog – Melford.

Norma is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Frank, daughter Nancy (Adam) Johnson, son Jay Holub, her 8 grandchildren – Allison, Zackery (Lydia), Nickolas, and Krista Nord, Adria Larson-Holub, Deon, Vanessa, and Alex Johnson, her 5 bonus-grandchildren – Dakota, Brady, Reed, Isaac, and Kaden and her special grand-dog Kota, as well as her siblings – Corlys (Dennis) Carlblom, Renee (David) Olson, Gayle (Dennis) Wiemann, Joe (Debbie) Billing, brother-in-law Joe Johnson, and her sisters-in-law Rose Olson (Rick) and Connie (Norris) Smedshammer and her brother-in-law Alvin Holub, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A celebration of Norma's life will be held at St. John's Lutheran Church in Verona, ND. The prayer service will be held on Friday, October 24th, at 6:30pm, with the funeral service on Saturday, October 25th at 10:00am. Burial will take place at Pilgrim's Rest Cemetery near Verona, ND immediately following the service. Norma's funeral will be live streamed on our website on her obituary page.