Norma Alice (Opdahl) Jones, age 93, of Freeborn, Minn., died Sunday, February 28, 2016 at Mayo Clinic Health System-Mankato, Minn. Funeral Services were held March 5, 2016, at the former Freeborn Congregational United Church of Christ in Freeborn, Minn. Visitation was at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells, Minn. Burial was in the Freeborn Cemetery with Reverend Cherie Daniel, officiating.
Norma Jones was born November 25, 1922 to Albert and Tilda (Larson) Opdahl, growing up on the family farm outside of Conger. She attended country school in District #74 and graduated from Alden High School. In 1945 Norma graduated from Luther College where she participated in the choir and marching band. She then taught in Zumbrota and Spring Valley. After her marriage to Paul Jones in 1948 they lived in several different locations, eventually settling in Freeborn to raise a family of 6 children. Through the years Norma also subbed at the railroad depot, took trouble calls for the telephone company, did bookkeeping for Hinkley garage and clerked at the grocery store. After the children were grown, Norma began working as the church custodian to stay young, and retired from that when she was 80 years old.
Norma enjoyed family, golfing, gardening, knitting, reading, the Minnesota Twins and her cat. She had a great interest in ancient history and archaeology. She was a faithful member of Freeborn Congregational United Church of Christ, the Wells VFW and the American Legion Auxiliary. As a member of the Naeve Hospital Auxiliary, Norma contributed by knitting hundreds of baby caps for newborns.
Norma was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, brothers and their wives: Donald (Harriet) Opdahl and Truman (Berna Nelson) Opdahl. Those celebrating the life of Norma include: son, George (Sheila) of Hastings, daughters: Diane (Warren) Ruedy of Mankato, Joan (Fred) Peterson of Freeborn, sons: Clifton (Chris) of Rochester, Roy of Minneapolis and Eric of Alabama, along with 11 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren, sister Ann Jeanette (Bernard) Lee and numerous nephews and nieces.