Helen B. Norman
(October 25, 1919 - May 3, 2007)
 

Helen B. Norman, age 87, of E5254 M-94, Chatham, passed away on Thursday morning, May 3, 2007 at her home with her family by her side. She was born on October 25, 1919 to the late Mike and Anna (nee Heikkala) Seppi in Winters, Michigan. Helen graduated from William G. Mather High School in 1937. She married Henry Norman on August 31, 1940 and together they raised their four sons. In 1954, Helen and her family moved to Chatham, leaving their home in Forest Lake where she had lived since she was three. A big part of her life was her love and devotion to the Sion Lutheran Church in Chatham. Helen taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for over thirty years. She was a member of the ladies guild, Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) and enjoyed weekly sessions of quilt making with the ladies of the church. Helen took great pride in her Finnish heritage. She was always willing to travel especially to Finland and Sweden where she visited several times reuniting with relatives and friends. Helen enjoyed taking Finnish classes in Ishpeming trying to improve her nearly flawless Finnish speaking. While at home, she enjoyed the company of her cat and staying in contact with family and friends through letter writing and sending newspaper clippings of events that she thought people would be interested in. Helen was even credited with keeping Kodak stock up with her love of picture taking of family and church events.

Helen is survived by her four sons – Thomas Norman of Bay City, MI, Bartlet (Maureen) Norman of Brighton, MI, Stephen (Linda) Norman, and Michael (Keely) Norman both of Chatham; grandchildren – Nicole (Brad), Bradley, Allison, Ryan, Justin, Paul (Tara), Michelle, and Nathan; great-granddaughter – Isabella; sister- Mildred Powell (Harvey) of Monterey Park, California. Helen also had a special place in her heart for her many nieces and nephews and their families. She was preceded in death by her husband – Henry; parents - Mike and Anna; brothers and sisters – August, Fannie, Vienna, Elmer, and John.

Visitation will be held at the Bowerman Funeral Home on Sunday evening from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. and also at the church on Monday from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. Pastor Paul Kelto and Pastor John Kallio will conduct Helen’s funeral on Monday, May 7, 2007 at 3:00 p.m. at the Sion Lutheran Church in Chatham. Pallbearers will be Helen’s nephews. Interment will follow at the Pine Grove Cemetery.

Submitted by Char Livermore