Ralph Norman

Ralph J. Norman, age 88, lifetime Judson farmer, died on Wednesday, August 25, 2010 at his home.

A private family burial will be held at Minneopa Cemetery. A gathering for family and friends will be held on Saturday, August 28 at 1:00 p.m. at Dean and Barbara's home. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to ISJ Hospice. Mankato Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Ralph was born on June 30, 1922 near Lake Crystal to Ralph J. and Ada L. (Upson) Norman. He attended Lake View Rural School and graduated from Lake Crystal High School. Ralph served in the United States Army Air Corp during World War II from 1942-1945. He was a navigator on a B-25 Bomber completing 39 missions in South West Pacific including: Philippines Islands, Formosa, Australia, and Indo-China. Ralph was united in marriage to Thelma Nelson on August 23, 1947 at Vernon Center. They spent a lifetime together farming near Lake Crystal. Together they enjoyed spending time with family, traveling, golf, playing cards, horse-shoes, polka dancing, and being the Dr. Pepper Kids at dances.

He is survived by his wife Thelma of Lake Crystal; children: Virginia (Wallace) Mathews of Hot Springs, AR, Mary Parker of Spring Hill, FL, Barbara (Bill Schell) Sinning of East Dundee, IL, and Dean (Barbara) Norman of Lake Crystal; nine grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; two sisters, Joan (John) Roth of Lake Crystal and Mary (Bill) Mensing of Mapleton; and sister-in-law, Beth Norman. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, John Norman.