Severson, Norman Wesley

Norman Wesley Severson, 94, of Cedar Rapids, died of congestive heart failure at Keystone Cedars on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012. Memorial services: 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, by the Rev. Perry Freuling. Inurnment at a later date at Cambridge Cemetery, Cambridge, Iowa. A visitation will be held Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.

Norman is survived by his children, Bob (Lorie) Severson of Denver, Colo., Stan (Patsy) Severson of El Cerrito, Calif., and Kathy Severson of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren, Jeffrey, Elisabeth and Daniel; and sisters, Grayce Wierson of Story City, Mildred Gill of Sheboygan, Wis., Myrtle Fauerby of Ames and Ruth Madson of Fort Dodge.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Frances Lowe; brother, Paul Severson; and wife, Eleanor, with whom he will be happy to be reunited.

Norman was born Aug. 8, 1917, in Carleton, Ore., to Severt and Sina Severson. Norman was an Army veteran of World War II, stationed in England and France. He married Eleanor McElyea on March 26, 1943, in Ames. Norman was a school administrator at Gettysburg, S.D., and Nevada, Iowa and a superintendent of schools in Smithland and Parkersburg. In 1959, he joined the Cedar Rapids Community School District as a teacher, retiring in 1981.

He was a member of the National Forensic League.

Norman was admired and dearly loved by his family and large circle of friends. Norman liked to golf, play bridge, and do crossword puzzles.

The family would like to thank Dr. Justice, Dr. Riter, Dr. Puk, Dr. Hanna, Dr. Nassif, and St. Luke's Hospice staff as well as the staffs at Keystone Cedars and Keystone Place for their compassionate care.

Memorials may be directed to St. Mark's Lutheran Church or the Iowa State University Foundation, Sina Severson Scholarship Fund.

Online condolences may be sent to  under obituaries.

Published Jan. 8, 2012, in The Gazette