Mary "Norma" Perhus
September 14, 1926 ~ May 29, 2022
Norma’s Funeral Service can be viewed below:
Norma, as she was known to everyone, was born in Milnor, North Dakota on September 14, 1926 and passed away on May 29, 2022 in Fargo. She was the middle child of Nora and Chris Tennefos. Norma spent her childhood in Milnor and cultivated a life-long love of music, both vocal and instrumental. She played clarinet, played and taught piano and had a beautiful singing voice.
As a young adult, she moved to Kindred to work for several years at the Cass County Electric Cooperative. She met her future husband, Ray, at a dance and after a prolonged engagement (this was a Lutheran-Catholic union after all), she was busy sewing her own bridal dress. Seven children followed and occasionally, Norma and Ray took breaks from parenting with outings to the HI-10 or The Galaxy supper clubs for dinner and dancing and travels to Florida and Arizona with friends. A favorite trip was a cruise trip down the Seine River in Europe. And we created many wonderful summer memories at the Pelican Lake cabin. Norma continued sharing her musical talents, playing organ at St. Maurice’s Church and performing at other gatherings for many years until she moved to Fargo. In her later years, she managed the Riverview Place store in Fargo for over 20 years.
Norma was easy-going, hard-working and always impeccably dressed. She served her meals hot and she always made her children feel loved. She was shrimp salad, cinnamon rolls and frosting with Special-K bars, moss roses, red geraniums, a melodic laugh, loud sneezes and Kleenex (plus more Kleenex), and humming and singing in the kitchen all year long.
Norma is preceded in death by her husband Ray, and children Tracy and Baby John, as well as her brother Charles and sister BettyAnn. She is survived by five children: Rochelle Newton, Robin (Steve) Leach, Ray (Jill) Perhus, Joan Perhus, and Dawn (Michael) Perniel. Her eight grandchildren were a wonderful gift to her and she loved watching them grow up. She also was blessed with very special nieces and nephews.
Thank you Mom for your support and encouragement and all that you have done for our family. We miss you and will hold you in our hearts until we meet again!
In lieu of memorials, donations can be made to Ethos Home Care and Hospice or the Perhus Cemetery.
Norma’s Video Tribute can be viewed below:
Services
Funeral: June 10, 2022 10:00 am
Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center
123 10th Street
South Fargo, ND 58103
Visitation: June 10, 2022 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center
123 10th Street
South Fargo, ND 58103
Burial: June 10, 2022 12:00 pm
Perhus Cemetery, rural Kindred, ND
Cty Hwy 46, rural Kindred
North Dakota, ND 58051
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Ray, Jill, and your family have our deepest sympathy. Norma was the sweetest lady. So gifted and talented. “May the Angels Welcome Her to Paradise” Inez and Leonard Rath
Norma was such a wonderful blessing to the residents at Riverview Place. She exhibited love and care to all. She will be missed.
To the Perhus Family I am so sorry for your loss. I remember going to your house a lot right be hind our our across the alley.
Kim Sperry Schepp
Ed Stahl
When I served as Administrator of Riverview Plsce. Norma helped run the store, and coffee shop. Her greatest trait was that she helped care for all the residents, always with a smile and a wonderful sense of humor.
We also got to enjoy her musical talent at special events, and church services.
Wonderful lady.
Ray and Jill, sorry for your loss. Kindness from Lake Sybil.