Norma J. Clemetson

Norma Jane Clemetson (Thompson), age 90, of Howard, passed away peacefully and went to join her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday August 10, 2020. Norma’s family is holding a private memorial service on Friday August 14 for immediate family only. Her family will also host a public Celebration of Her Life Service at a later date when it is safe to have a large gathering. In lieu of flowers and cards, her family requests that memorials be directed to either Whispering Winds Assisted Living Center or Bethany Lutheran Church.

She was born September 1, 1929 in Sioux Falls, SD to Margie and Alvin Thompson. Norma grew up in Hills, Minnesota with her three brothers and two sisters, Robert, Raymond, Marianne, Rodney, and Bonnie. She was confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills in 1945 and graduated from Hills High School in 1947. After graduation, she worked at the Hills Café where she met the love of her life, Donald Clemetson, who had started working at the Hills Creamery after returning from WWII. She called him the ‘butter man’ and they were married on November 25, 1948 in Hills. 

To this union, six children were born: Wanda, Corinne, Pamela, Steven, Douglas, and Tamara.  The family moved to Sioux Valley, Minnesota for a brief period in the mid-1950’s before returning to Hills.  In 1960, the Clemetson family moved to Howard, SD where Norma has resided ever since. Norma worked as a part-time clerk at Rusty’s Store for several years until she became the secretary to the Principal at Howard High School for over 25 years, retiring in 1991. In December of 1995, Norma took the CNA course at the local Good Samaritan Nursing Home and became certified in the Spring of 1996.  She continued to work part time at the Nursing home and as a substitute teacher at the Elementary and High School for several more years. She was very active in her church, Bethany Lutheran Church, and the Howard Women’s Civic League. Throughout her life, Norma loved baking, making crafts, bowling, and watching sports and school events especially when her children and grandchildren were participating. Norma loved sharing coffee and baked goods with her friends and family. 

She is survived by her sister Bonnie Flood of Sioux Falls, and her six children: Wanda (Doyle) Sage of Sioux Falls, Corinne Miller of Rapid City, Pam Morse of Reno NV, Steve Clemetson of Lawrenceville Georgia, Doug (Julie) Clemetson of Omaha, and Tami (Dan) Kuhle of Howard.  She is also survived by nine grandchildren: Jason (Janice) Sage, Joel (Stefanie) Sage, Stephanie (Eric) Vasgaard, Matthew (Megan) Sage, Amanda Miller, Emily (Hank) Roberts, Ashley (Tom) Henney, Amber Clemetson, Steven Macaulay Clemetson, Gregory Kuhle, Karissa Kuhle, Jenna (Tucker) Gassman, and Jordan Kuhle; and fifteen great-grandchildren: Haley Sage, Peyton Sage, Taylor Sage, Avery Sage, Vander Sage, Lincoln Vasgaard, Annie Vasgaard, Emmalyn Sage, Everett Sage, Maya Roberts, Easton McBride, Della Henney, Eve Henney, Brooklyn Brech, and Ivy Kuhle.

Norma was preceded in death by her husband Donald, mother Margie, father Alvin, brothers Robert, Raymond and Rodney, sister Marianne, and infant twin brothers.

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