NORMA J. JANSSEN, 84 years of age, Worthington, died Friday September 23, 2016 at Sunset Hospice Cottage in Worthington. She was born September 10, 1932 to Eva Scourick and August Schachterle in Ackley, Iowa. She attended school in Ackley graduating from high school in 1951. Following graduation she worked at the Ackley canning factory. She married John M. Janssen on June 12, 1953 in Ackley then moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado while John served in the United States Army, and they started their family. Upon discharge from the Army the couple lived in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Norma worked at the schools, raised puppies and as a nurses aide in various stages of her life. The family moved to Spencer in 1971 where she worked as a nurses aide at Longhouse Nursing Home. In 1973 they moved to Worthington, MN; where they purchased the Bandshell Music Shop from Spence and Edith Beatty. Norma worked at the store until its closure in 1986. The couple then managed the Eastside Acres Campground for the next seven years in Round Lake, MN. It was during this time Norma started working for CCSI. Receiving recognition Employee of the quarter in June 2016 and retired in July 2016 after 30 years of service. She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Worthington.

Norma was active in the community and the family often joked they had to make an appointment to see her. Those organizations and memberships that kept her busy included, American Red Cross, volunteer at the Dayton House, RSVP, usher at Memorial Auditorium, Election judge, volunteer with Prairie Elementary school, Widows Ministry, Community Christmas Baskets, volunteer at Crossroads Care Center in the activity department, Worthington Hospital Auxiliary where she assisted in knitting hats and blankets for newborns. She was an active member of the Turkey Trotters Square Dancers of Worthington and was always recruiting new members.

Norma loved to play cards, socializing, sewing, flowers, and cooking, baking sugar cookies at Christmas time with the grandchildren, tea parties for her great-grandchildren. She attended her grandchildren’s sporting and music events. She loved going on trips, including a recent visit to Ireland where she kissed the Blarney stone!

Norma is survived by her sister Ruth Schull, Carthage, TX; three children and their families; Randy and Terri Janssen, Worthington, MN; Lori and Steve Thiner, Fulda MN; Doug and Carol Janssen, Abrams, WI; seven grandchildren Alesha (Robert) Carstensen, Aaron (Stephanie) Janssen; Angela (Erik) Grant; Ashley (Pius) Kimeu, Kelsie (Kris) Evers, Corey Thiner and Zachry ( Jessica) Janssen and twelve great-grandchildren, sister-in-law Jean Graham and family, many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband John, niece Gaye Jacobs, and infant great-grandson Jaron Janssen.

   In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to CCSI or the Memorial Auditorium in Worthington.

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