Normal J Shoemaker (Nee Norma Jean Johnson) passed March 8, 2023, in her sleep at the age of 90. She will be interred with her husband, William C Shoemaker, and eldest son, Robert B Shoemaker at Valley Center Cemetery April 3, 2023. Norma was a resident of Valley Center for three decades before moving to
Norma Jean Johnson (Edge) of Maple Grove, MN went to Heaven on January 4th, 2023 at the age of 88. She was surrounded by love and care in her home of 6 years at The Water’s On Mayowood in Rochester, MN. She is survived by her children Julie (Doug) Fiesel, Jeanne (Jeff) Megna, Jim (Julie) Johnson, 6 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Gordon, parents Joe & Alice Edge and brother Roger. Norma was born May 24, 1934 in Havelock, IA. She graduated from Havelock High School in 1952. In 1955 Norma earned her R.N. degree of Nursing from Broadlawns School of Nursing in Des Moines, IA. Through Nurses Christian Fellowship Norma accepted Jesus as her personal Savior. She met Gordon Edward Johnson at Church and married October, 24, 1959. They lived many years in New Hope, MN where they raised their family. Norma created a happy, warm home. She worked in their Income Tax and Laser Toner Refill business, helping Gordon with most everything. N
Prairie Lives
This year the world commemorates the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. We are remembering contributions of persons from our region, most of whom are no longer with us.
During WWII the women serving in the Navy WAVES, the Coast Guard SPARS, the Marine Corps Women Reserves, and the women WASP pilots were all restricted from overseas service. But the 59,000 WWII-era Army nurses had no such restrictions and 32,500 served overseas. Let’s meet an Army nurse who served overseas.
Ivanhoe’s Norma Jean Johnson was born in Ivanhoe in 1922 and attended public school, graduating with the Ivanhoe High School class of 1940.