Norma Klein, age 81, of Marshall, Minnesota, died on Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at the Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall. Visitation was held Monday, June 14, 2021, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall.
Norma Kathryn Goltz was born on May 12, 1940, to Albert and Caroline (Meyer) Goltz in Tracy, Minnesota, the fifth of eleven children. She graduated from the Tracy High School with the class of 1958. Shortly thereafter, on October 25, 1958, Norma married her high school sweetheart, Donald Klein, at St. Mary’s Catholic church in Tracy. To this union five children were born: Julie, Sherlynn, Patricia, Michael, and Susan.
Don and Norma made their home near Tracy and then Walnut Grove, Minnesota, until 1970 when they purchased an acreage near Ghent. Norma held a variety of jobs in her lifetime including Red Rooster Café in Tracy where she waitressed, The Schott Corporation, JCPenney’s, and the Schwan’s Food Company which she retired from in 2005 after 25 years.
Norma’s enjoyments in life were first and foremost her family, especially her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her grandchildren fondly remember her as the lady who pulled them out of bed at 3 a.m. to go shopping on Black Friday. Norma was a prolific baker; her family was especially fond of her caramel rolls and sweet treats. She also enjoyed “collecting” things like Santas, roosters, Kewpie dolls, and things made out of green glass. In her younger days she was a champion Rolle Bolle player and always enjoyed a good game of cards. Norma was a member of the Red Hat Society and volunteered regularly at the Marshall Elementary Schools by reading with the kids.
In July 2014, Norma became a resident of the Avera Morningside Heights care center after she was unable to live independently because of her worsening dementia. She died there on Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at the age of 81 years and 28 days. Blessed be her memory.
Norma is survived by her husband of 62 years, Donald Klein of Marshall; children, Julie (Greg) St. Aubin of Marshall, Sherlynn Klein (Jim Tyler) of San Luis Obispo, CA, Patricia (Reza) Zarafshar of Vienna, VA, Michael (Jenifer) Klein of Marshall, Susan Klein of Cambria, CA; grandchildren, Caroline, Amanda, Molli, Merry, Janna, Alex, Khadijeh, Aasiyeh, Mariam, Shelby, Luke; 17 great-grandchildren; and four siblings; David, Marilyn, Donald, and Lyle.
Norma was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Caroline Goltz; grandson, Elias Singer; and siblings, John, Jeannie, Lois, Nyla, Ruth, and Charlotte.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association or to Avera Marshall Hospice. Thank you.
Arrangements by the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall, Minnesota. 507-532-2933.
Guest book and tribute wall available online at www.hamiltonfh.com.