Norma Elrod

Obituary

Norma LaDonna Elrod was born on September 1, 1928, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  She was the daughter of Rudolph and Gertrude (Merrill) Bolin.  Norma was baptized as an infant, and was later confirmed at Mount Carmel English Lutheran Church in Minneapolis.  Norma graduated with honors from Edison High School in Minneapolis, in 1946.  She was awarded a four year academic scholarship to Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota and graduated Cum Laude in 1950.   She furthered her education by attending Mankato State College in Mankato, Minnesota, and received her Master’s Degree in Social Work in 1972. 

Norma was united in marriage to Merle Elrod on January 1, 1953, at Randolph Heights Presbyterian Church in St. Paul, Minnesota.   This marriage was blessed with five children, Alisa, Ian, Leah, Linnea, and Marijke. Norma and Merle resided in Lawton and Ida Grove, Iowa, Cedar Bluffs and Omaha, Nebraska, Mankato, Minnesota, and Wabeno, Wisconsin, before moving to Hutchinson, Minnesota in 1994.  Norma and Merle shared 63 years of marriage. 

In addition to being a loving homemaker and mother of five children, Norma earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work and began her career as a Career Counselor with the Minnesota Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.   Norma was a member of Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Hutchinson.  She was also an avid Girl Scout and camp counselor, and volunteered for various church organizations throughout the years, as well as working with Habitat for Humanity and volunteering at Twice Is Nice Thrift Store in Hutchinson. 

Norma and her husband enjoyed hosting two Foreign Exchange Students from Japan.  They were also foster parents for several years. Norma was extremely talented at organizing activities in her churches and the community throughout the years.  She was especially interested in mission outreach. Norma enjoyed crossword puzzles and games; she always won at Scrabble.  She loved birds of all kinds and was also an avid reader.  Norma cherished the time she spent with her husband, children and  grandchildren.  

Norma passed away on Wednesday, August 24, 2016, at the Hutchinson Health Hospital in Hutchinson, Minnesota at the age of 87 years. 

She will be dearly missed.

Norma was survived by her:
Husband, Merle Elrod of Hutchinson, MN;
Children, Alisa Hurevitch of Somerville, NJ,
                  Ian Elrod of St. Paul, MN,
                  Leah Elrod of St. James, MN,
                  Linnea Elrod of Kenosha, WI,
                  Marijke Carson and her husband Kerry, of Conrad, IA;
Grandchildren, Brent Hurevitch of Somerville, NJ,
                             Leigh Carson and Drew Carson of Conrad, IA;
Great Granddaughter, Kayla Hurevitch of Somerville, NJ;
Other relatives and friends.

Norma is preceded in death by her: Parents, Rudolph and Gertrude Bolin, Siblings, Merrill Bolin, Dorothy (Bolin) Sears, Gertrude “Betty” Bolin, Emily (Bolin) Heck and Earl Bolin.