Norma Alice Ivesdal

Norma Alice Ivesdal, 96 of Edmore, North Dakota, went to her heavenly home on Sunday, October 7, 2018.  Born on July 5, 1922 to Cole and Nora (Hove) Rice on their farmstead near Edmore. Norma received her early education at the Newland Township and Edmore Schools.  She attended Mayville State Teachers College and taught school in Billings Township (Cavalier County, ND) before marriage. 

After meeting at a Farmers Union picnic, James Ivesdal and Norma were married on June 18, 1942 and enjoyed 69 years of marriage.  They farmed together on the Ivesdal family farm in Prospect Township.  She was a true farmer’s wife, known for her potato klub, lefse, canned goods, quilting, and being the critical support for her farmers, Jimmy and their sons.  She could mend anything that needed mending and thus teaching her girls how to sew.

In November of 1987, tragedy hit the Ivesdals with the death of their daughter Karen, who was a missionary in Zimbabwe and died with her mission team at the age of 31.  A very difficult loss for Norma and James, she left a legacy of joy and pride.

Norma was very active in her church, Concordia Lutheran, in Edmore.  She had an unwavering faith in God and extended a kind and generous soul to all. Over the years, she was very involved in the church and assisted with numerous fundraising events to support mission and service.

Any chance to spend time with her family was priority for Norma. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her heart and joy.  Time with them was very special and always included special baked treats and memory making.

In their later years, James and Norma enjoyed winter travel to California.  In 2006, both James and Norma entered the Osnabrock (ND) Good Samaritan Center.  James died in 2011.  Norma moved to the Maple Manor Care Center in Langdon.

Norma is survived by her daughters, Linda Adsem, Camilla (Larry) Ohma; sons, Jeff and Paul (Renee) Ivesdal; five grandchildren, Steven (Michelle) Adsem, Karla (Steve), Hermanson, Teresa (Chad) Greening, Darlene (Scott) Brown, and Corey (Debi) Ohma; eleven great grandchildren; seven great-great grandchildren; one sister, Beatrice Moore of San Francisco, CA; and a very special extended family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, James; daughter, Karen Ivesdal; great granddaughter, Tessa Hermanson; sisters, Evelyn Landsem and Clara Rice; brothers Raymond, Harvey, and James Rice.

A service to honor Norma’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 12, 2018 at Concordia Lutheran in Edmore. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to services in the church.  Interment will be at Prospect Cemetery near Edmore.  Memorials are preferred to donor’s choice, Alzheimer’s Association, Concordia Lutheran, or Prospect Cemetery. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Norma Alice Ivesdal, please visit our floral store.