September 26, 1932 - November 16, 2023
A funeral Mass for Norma was held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Whittemore. Burial took place at St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery following Mass. Visitation was 4-6 p.m., Monday, Nov. 20, at Oakcrest Funeral Services chapel in Whittemore. Visitation continued one hour prior to the service on Tuesday, Nov. 20 at St. Michael’s Church Hall.
Norma Jean, daughter of Alva and Leona (Kress) Howard, was born Sept. 26, 1932, in Emmetsburg. She graduated from Emmetsburg Catholic High School in 1950. After graduation she attended Omaha Community College, then worked in the Palo Alto County Engineering Office.
Norma was united in marriage with Edward “Bud” Buscherfeld in the Catholic Church in Emmetsburg on May 4, 1954. Norma and Bud made their home in Whittemore where they raised their family. Norma stayed home to manage the household during those years. Once all the children were in school, she worked various places, including Pioneer Hi Bred in Algona, Berkley in Emmetsburg, the bakery in Algona, Kossuth County Care Facility and Associated Milk Producers, Inc. The family relocated to Sibley in 1982. While living there, Norma worked at the Sibley Nursing Home and Rehab Center for 15 years.
Norma was a very kind, spunky and loving person. She was easy to please and never demanding. She was always very supportive of her children without interfering. Church and faith were important to her. She had a lifelong love of horses and was delighted when she had the opportunity to see the famed Lipizzan stallions perform. Norma’s favorite thing in the world was spending time with her family and friends. She liked playing cards, bowling and having coffee with friends. Even in her advanced years, she never forgot a person’s name. She even gave nicknames to some of the nurses at Good Sam. She was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels, a member of St. Michael’s Rosary Society and a member of the Whittemore Legion Auxiliary. Norma was a member of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Sibley and St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Whittemore.
Norma died Nov. 16 at Good Samaritan Society in Algona. She was 91.
Survivors include her children: Linda (Paul) Johnson of Sammamish, Wash., Michael (Beth) Buscherfeld of Whittemore, Ann Buscherfeld of Sammamish, Wash., Mary Buscherfeld of Spirit Lake, Mark (Kriss) Buscherfeld of Eau Claire, Wis. and David Buscherfeld of Durand, Wis.; nine grandchildren: Jamie, Brooke, Bridget, Michelle, Josie, Anthony, Rachel, Meghan and Christopher; and 16 great-grandchildren.
Norma was preceded in death by her parents; husband Bud in 2012; infant son Steven; brothers: Lloyd, Dean and Dale Howard; sisters: Alelia Fell, Virginia Huberty, Phyllis Zeman, Sharon Firkins and Patricia Madsen; and stepbrother Duane Howard.
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