Norma Ruth Edman

Norma Ruth (Fering) Edman, 96, of Benson, Minnesota, passed away Saturday, March 13, 2021, at Scandi Haven Village in Benson, Minnesota.

Visitation will be Saturday, March 20, 2021, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church in Benson with a private family memorial service at 11 a.m. that will be livestreamed on the Our Redeemer’s Facebook page. Pastor Zane Anderson will officiate.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.  Face masks are required and social distancing will be observed.   In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church General Fund, Carris Health - Rice Hospice, or Swift County Benson Hospital Foundation (earmarked for Scandi Haven improvements), Benson, Minnesota.

Norma Ruth (Fering) Edman was born at home on August 25, 1924, in Alvarado, Minnesota, the daughter of Ray and Rose (Hammerlund) Fering. She was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith. She grew up on a farm near Alvarado and graduated from Alvarado High School in 1942.  She received her B.A. degree in business education from Concordia College in Moorhead in 1946. After college, she taught in Roseau and Bemidji.

On June 18, 1949, Norma married James Lynn Edman in Alvarado. They lived in the Twin Cities, where Jim finished his agriculture degree and Norma worked at the University of Minnesota as a secretary in the plant pathology department. In 1951, they moved to Evansville where Jim taught agriculture at Evansville High School. In 1953, they moved to Benson, where they worked, raised their children, and remained lifelong residents. They were married for 62 years.

Norma worked at Chevalier Insurance Agency and Holmquist & Holmquist Law Office during the tax season for several years. In January of 1968, she began teaching at Benson High School, where she taught a variety of business classes and eventually started the first Benson High School chapter of the Office Education Association student organization, now known as Business Professionals of America. She had a passion for teaching and advising students how to become successful in their business and office careers. She retired from teaching in 1984 but continued to give business teaching advice to her daughters and granddaughter who were also business teachers.

After retirement, Norma and Jim spent their time enjoying their rustic cabin on Bass Lake, golfing, visiting with family and friends, traveling, and wintering in Arizona. Norma became active in the Ladies Golf League and enjoyed golfing into her early 90’s.

Norma was a member of Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, where she participated in ORW, Circle Bible study, fitness group, and served on various boards. She had many interests and hobbies, which included golfing in leagues and tournaments, entertaining friends, card playing in bridge and whist clubs, baking, gardening, investing, and wood carving. She is well known for her delicious cinnamon and caramel rolls made using the 4-H recipe.

She moved to Scandi Haven Village in the fall of 2016. She enjoyed socializing with the other residents and staff as they participated in activities and truly appreciated the care and support she received.

Norma is survived by her four children: Tim (Laura) Edman of Stillwater; Beth (Jon) Luikart of Duluth; Mary (Scott) Eckhoff of Glencoe; and Peggy (Kevin) Bausman of Benson; grandchildren: Marta Edman of St. Paul; Andrew Edman of Hendricks; Jay (Kris) Luikart of Broomfield, CO; Paul (Kristen) Luikart of Green Bay, WI; Emily (Isak) Stolen of Park City, UT; Matt (Sydney) Eckhoff of Perham; Tom Eckhoff of Minneapolis; Dan (Madi) Eckhoff of Cold Spring; Paul Eckhoff of St. Cloud; Molly (Jared) Weismantel of St. Paul, Anne Bausman of St. Paul, Rachel Bausman of St. Paul; eleven great-grandchildren; stepsisters Joan Edman of Ely and Marge Hegrenes of Woodbury; brother-in-law Mark Edman of Alvarado; cousin Karen Hammerlund Lukas of St. Paul; and numerous members of the extended family.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Jim, in 2012; infant son, Severin; her parents; stepmother, Inga Fering; and sister, Lyla Smith Flagg; and numerous sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.

The family would like to thank all the staff at Scandi Haven Village and Carris Health - Rice Hospice for their compassionate care and support for Norma and her family.