Norma (Johnson, Hufford) Armstrong earned her angel wings on Tuesday, November 4, 2014 at Guardian Angels TCU in Elk River, MN at the age of 67.
Norma was born on September 15, 1947 to Carolyn and Edmund Johnson in Stanchfield, MN. Her family moved to Braham when she was five. She graduated from Braham High School in 1966. After high school, she moved to Minneapolis to begin schooling to become a nurse and worked as an aid at the Swedish Hospital.
In 1969, Norma married Jim Hufford, became a housewife and began to raise their family in Braham. They had three children, Jamie, LaDonna and Tracy. They were married for 23 years.
She had various jobs in the area throughout her life, but her favorite was working with the students at Braham Middle School. She enjoyed camping, fishing, home decorating, cooking, shopping, traveling and especially spending time with her family.
Norma spent the majority of her life in the Braham/Cambridge area. She moved to Elk River, MN in March 2014 to begin a new chapter in her life. She had her own home, her own stuff and her own life. Shortly after moving to Elk River, Norma was diagnosed with brain cancer.
Norma loved to socialize and build relationships with people. She was never afraid to strike up a conversation with a stranger. Norma made friends everywhere she went. Sometimes she referred to herself as the friend of the friendless. She had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh. She also loved animals and watching Animal Planet. Norma always had a cup of coffee (with half and half) in her hand, or on her mind. After her diagnosis with brain cancer in March, she realized she had a lot of living to do. She packed a lifetime of memories with family and friends into the last seven months of her life. Those memories will be cherished forever.
Norma is survived by her children, Jamie (Steve) Carr of Midland, MI, LaDonna (Brian) Carley of Zimmerman, MN and Tracy (Al Sauerwein) Heymer of Blaine, MN; eight grandchildren, Sara, Megan, Jason, Rachel, Abe, Samantha, Cassandra and Ashley; four great-grandchildren; her kitty, Baby; her siblings, Mazie (Dwight) Brellenthin, Dennis (Renee) Johnson, Warren (Dorin) Johnson, Ronnie (Elsie) Johnson, Barb Cerar, Alan (Phyllis) Johnson and Lonnie (Jeannie Jones) Johnson.
Norma is preceded in death by her mother, father, step-father, two sisters-in-law, a brother-in-law and a cousin.
Services held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 8th at Abundant Life Church, Blaine, MN.
Normas family would like to extend our sincere thanks to Angela Mathison, NPC (Elk River Allina), Dr. Derek Johnson (Mayo Clinic), Dr. Uittenbogaard (Abbott), Allina Home Care and Hospice and especially to the staff and friends at Guardian Angels TCU and assisted living in Elk River. Memorials may be given to Guardian Angels, Elk River.
Online condolences and photographic memories at www.carlsonlillemoen.com. Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Carlson-Lillemoen Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Cambridge.