Services for Norma Leona Merseth
Norma Leona Merseth, 94, of Clearbrook, Minn. died on Tuesday, November 21, 2017, at the Diamond Willow Assisted Living Home in Detroit Lakes.
The visitation for Leona will be held Friday November 24, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church of rural Bagley MN. from 5 to 7 p.m. and Saturday November 25th 1 hr. prior to the 10:30 a.m. Funeral Service. Interment will be at the Concordia Lutheran Cemetery rural Clearbrook MN. The Cease Family Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
Leona was born on August 27, 1923 in Fosston to Nels and Tina (nee Lomen) Hultberg.
She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Lengby. Also at Immanuel she exchanged marriage vows with Edwin Merseth on March 31, 1945.
For many years Edwin and Leona—together with the children they were blessed with—lived on their Century Farm in rural Clearbrook. Leona was an active member at Concordia Lutheran Church until it was destroyed by fire, and then at Our Savior’s Lutheran, rural Bagley. Her Christian faith was sustained through daily devotions from God’s holy and saving Word, as well as at worship services, Bible Classes, Ladies study guilds, synod seminars and conferences.
After Edwin died (January, 1988), Leona continued to live and work on the farm, doing gardening, raising chickens, always happy to host the extended “Merseth clan” (including the annual deer hunt crowd) and many other friends and visitors for good Norwegian visiting and hearty meals. She was moved to the Assisted Living Home on October 27th when it became clear Jesus would soon take her to the mansion He prepared for her. On Tuesday November 21, 2017 she entered her heavenly home.
Leona was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin Merseth; her parents, Nels and Tina Hultberg; one son (Christian), one infant daughter (Margret Ann); three sisters (Sally Merseth, O’Laila Vangen, June Merseth); two brothers (Miles Hultberg, Juel Hultberg).
She is survived by her children: Betty (widow of Chris) Merseth of Clearbrook, Laila (Rev. Paul) Fleischer of Red Wing, Juel (Lynette) Merseth of Mankato, Carol (Randy) Robison of Brooklyn Park, Esther Iverson (Valdosta, GA), Rev. John (Lorena) Merseth of Audubon, 19 grandchildren, 49 great-grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends, including her Christian church family at Our Savior’s Lutheran congregation.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Merseth Scholarship at Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, MN; Bethany Theological Seminary, Mankato, MN; Pro-Life Groups; ELS Cross-Stitch Mission Society
Messages of condolence may be sent to ceasefuneralhome.com