Norma J. Swanson, 103, of New Rockford, ND and formerly of Maddock, ND, passed away Friday, March 25, 2016 at the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd in New Rockford, ND. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM Sunday, April 24, 2016 at the North Viking Lutheran Church in Maddock, ND with Pastor Allen Campbell officiating. Music will be provided by Rachel Markestad, Lynne Wiger, Myrt Jacobson, Lee Jacobson and Lane Jacobson. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will take place at the Vasa Lutheran Cemetery, rural Esmond. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to a charity of your choice.

Norma was born to Torsten and Ragna (Holm) Lien on September 22, 1912 at Brinsmade, ND. She grew up and went to school in Brinsmade, where she graduated as the Valedictorian of her class. Norma married Carl "Eddie" Swanson on June 12, 1934 at Brinsmade. She spent the majority of her life as a homemaker, dedicating herself to her family. Norma was a lover of peace and had a positive attitude towards life. She treated everyone with kindness and saw the good in people.

Norma was a music lover all of her life, especially when it was her children performing for her. She once played piano in a band with her father when she was younger. Norma was a Sunday school teacher and choir member at the Vasa and Immanuel Lutheran Churches. She also was an organist, a 4-H leader, a member of Extension Homemakers, the GFWC Atheneum Society, and the Farmers Union.

Norma enjoyed gardening, painting and politics. She was politically active, including the honor of being on the platform committee for the 1964 Democratic National Convention.

Norma is survived by her children: Shirley Smith, James (Norma E.) Swanson, Barbara Liudahl, and Pamela Swanson (Lane Jacobson); 10 grandchildren: Dawn (Brad) Pfeifer, Keith (Cindy) Smith, Gregg (Karen) Smith, Lisa (Lanny) Faleide, David (Denise) Swanson, Kaaren Duren, Andrea (Chris) Elder, Janelle Swanson, Ryan (Tanya) Jacobson, and Andrea (Max) Barabas; 20 great-grandchildren: Adam Pfeifer, Britta Pfeifer, Aaron (Tiffany) Smith, Jason Smith, Kelsey Smith, Jordan Smith, Kristen Smith, Luke (Kristin) Faleide, Nathan (Rachel) Faleide, Dylan Faleide, Joshua Swanson, Justin Swanson, Kayla (Cody) Mueller, Ashley Duren, Nora Duren, Greta Duren, Hope Elder, Jada Jacobson, Rylan Sundberg and Adra Sundberg; four great-great-grandchildren, Hayden and Owen Faleide and Grady and Maya Mueller; sisters-in-law Arlene Lien and Patricia Lien, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Eddie; parents, Torsten and Ragna Lien; daughters, Mary Frances and Janelle ; granddaughter, Kimberly Smith; son-in-law, Reuben Smith; five siblings, Agnes (Jim) Blackmore, Carl Lien, Raymond (Betty) Lien, Walter Lien, and Gladys (Bill) Moore.