Norma J. Reimann

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Norma J. Reimann, 90, of Miller, passed away Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at Weskota Manor in Wessington Springs, SD.
Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Miller, with Rev. Rhonda Wellsandt-Zell officiating. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at G.A.R. Cemetery in Miller.
Norma Jean was born in Miller, SD, to Viola Stinson on June 3, 1934. A year later Viola married Norma's stepdad Dick Heezen. They originally lived in Buffalo County, but in 1945 they moved to a farm in Hand County. Norma attended grade school at Southern Hand Co. Country School. Growing up, she spent a great deal of time with her aunt Sena and uncle George Shaw, who she considered her home away from home. She attended Miller High School, graduating in 1953. While attending high school, she lived in Miller and worked for various families to pay for her own room and board. After graduating, her first official job was as a teller at the First National Bank in Miller. During this time, she lived in an apartment with her classmate Marie Reimann. Marie's brother was Donald (Donnie), who was in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. They met when Donnie was home on a furlough, and that was the beginning of a beautiful relationship that lasted seven decades. While Donnie was stationed in California, Norma moved there to be closer to him. She lived with Donnie's sister Ruth and worked at Davies Auto in Redwood City. That move proved to be the "right move" as Donnie & Norma were later married at Trinity Lutheran Church in Miller, SD on February 5th, 1956. Norma was married to her best friend and the love of her life for more than 68 years.
After the service, they lived in Huron, SD, while Donnie worked for the Old Home Bread Company. In 1958, they moved to the family farm as Don's father had fallen ill, and they later purchased the homestead. The early years on the farm were not easy, but they were both very hard workers and enjoyed a very blessed life on the farm. Norma did her fair share of the work managing the farm books, raising chickens, milking cows, churning butter, feeding calves, working in the field, growing a garden, working cattle, all while maintaining the home and raising the kids. Norma was known for faithfully taking care of the hired help, providing tasty meals each day. Norma also worked for the ASC office in Miller for many years. In their later years, they purchased a townhouse in Pierre, but later sold it, then in 2001 they purchased their home in Miller. In 2012, after retirement, they also purchased a townhouse in Rapid City and shared time at both locations. No matter the location, you would find Norma feeding the birds; she loved her birds. Norma loved caring for all wildlife; she loved reading and was well-known by her kids and grandkids for her delicious homemade buns and pies. She loved the South Dakota State Fair and faithfully took the camper to the fair each year, enjoying the week with family and friends. Norma was a life-long member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, was active with the Trinity Lutheran Church Women, was chosen Miss Miller in 1953, and was the Hand County Homemaker of the Year in 1993.
As time passed, so did their health, which eventually led both Donnie and Norma to reside in Weskota Manor in Wessington Springs.
Norma is survived by her son, Kent Reimann (Nora) of Miller, SD; grandson, Barry (Jill) of Ree Heights, SD, with great-grandchildren Brigham and Emersyn and great-grandchildren, Croix and Cannon (Nick & Kyrstin). Daughter, Karen Opp (Mike) of Aberdeen, SD; granddaughter, Kristen (Carson) of Missoula, MT, with great-grandson Amos and grandson Kevin (Britni) of Canyon Lake, TX, with great-grandchildren, Joseph, Jacob, John, and Adelline. Daughter, Janet Heine of Fordyce, NE; grandson, Garrett (Hailey) of Hartington, NE with great-grandchildren Lucy, Georgia, and Goldie; granddaughter, Ashley (Tanner) of Fordyce, NE with great-grandchildren, Kayson and Weston; granddaughter, Lauren of Fordyce, NE; sisters: Patty Irene Owens (Irene) of Spokane, WA and Beverley Anne (Anne) Weibe of Bellingham, WA; brothers: Benjamin (Kathline) Heezen of Lynden, WA; Richard Heezen of Mead, WA, and Robert (Gail) Heezen of Birch, WA.
Norma was preceded in death by her mother, Viola Heezen; stepdad, Dick Heezen; husband, Donald Reimann; grandson, Nicolas Reimann; son-in-law, Steve Heine; sister and brother-in-law Naida (Willie) Weed; and numerous other relatives and friends.
Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Norma's arrangements.