Norma Hammerberg

The dynamic matriarch of our family, Norma Hammerberg, passed away on Wednesday night, May 14, 2025. From the moment she ran across the desk tops in her first grade classroom, Norma lived life fully and vibrantly. If you were lucky enough to have met Norma, you would have been drawn into her sphere by her magnetic personality and compassionate heart. She was a brilliant bridge player and an astute observer of politics. To her family, she was a loving, generous, and forgiving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.

Norma was born 96 years ago, in St Croix Falls, WI to Flora and Leon Nelson. Flora became a single mother to five year old Norma and four year old Gene when Leon died tragically in a fire. Norma's compassionate world view was shaped by her mother's commitment and determination to provide for her children in a man's world. The family had to move frequently as Flora struggled to find affordable housing. Flora was a school teacher (ironically, also Norma's first grade teacher). In the summers, Flora supplemented her meager teacher salary by working as a waitress, housekeeper, and store clerk. The children were split up and sent to live with relatives and friends in other towns. Norma was fortunate to spend several of those summers on her Swedish immigrant grandfather's dairy farm. This is where Norma's love of all things Sweden blossomed. Norma saw how hard her mother worked to make ends meet and always had deep respect for single moms and anyone who had to scrape to get by. She and Gene were raised to be open minded global thinkers. Education was the lifeblood of the home.

In 1945, Norma enrolled at Stout State University. Norma and her first roommate, Ruth Scholz became fast friends. That friendship has lasted 80 years. Norma and Ruth endured curfews, permanents, and a third roommate with a skunk fur coat. Later in life, along with their husbands, they traveled together. And later still, they aged and braved the losses of their husbands. Norma's most significant encounter occurred as a sophomore when she met Wally, her partner in life. Wally had returned from service and Norma was a young coed. Wally said Norma would slip out of any room whenever he entered. When Norma finally accepted an introduction to Wally, she mentioned that she liked the sound of rain. The next day, Wally met her at her dorm and they walked together in the rain. Norma soon understood that Wally was a steadfast, honorable man and they were destined to grow old together.

Norma and Wally married and moved to Highland Park, IL in 1950. Both had careers in education and all three of their children were born there. They were public educators through and through. Norma taught thousands of high schoolers home economics. Her people skills and managerial style led her to become a school administrator. Norma was diplomatic, perceptive, and thoughtful. She flourished in that role.

Norma and Wally were drawn back to their Wisconsin roots and they retired to Ellison Bay in 1983. Norma continued teaching. But, this time instead of teaching family living to teenagers, she taught bridge to adults. Norma taught over a thousand people from Sturgeon Bay to Ellison Bay. She loved the game and it showed. It was a way for her to put her computer-like brain to work. Norma had a vast mental rolodex of relatives, friends, and acquaintances. It seemed she remembered things about people that they themselves had forgotten. During retirement Norma worked on family genealogy and has left a written treasure trove of information for the family. Norma also volunteered at the Ridges, the Clearing, and the Liberty Grove Historical Society. Norma and Wally enjoyed traveling with a tight group of friends, the Sweet Sixteen.

Above all, Norma was committed to family. She and Wally had a strong, personal relationship with each of their nine grandchildren and their partners. They knew each person as an individual. Norma's goal was to get to know each of their thirteen great grandchildren in the same way. We are confident that each of the great grandchildren will know how much their great grandparents loved them.
Norma was an optimistic person of many superlatives. Each bowl of ice cream, every burger was the best she ever had. That meant things got better every day and the last was always the best.

A private memorial is being planned for Norma.  Condolences can get expressed via mail at 22550 W Grass Lake Rd, Antioch, IL 60002 or email at jkscheidt@gmail.com.

The family is grateful for the loving, skilled care that Norma received from the CNAs, aides, and nurses from Scandia Village and Unity Hospice.

Memorial contributions in Norma's memory can be made to Northern Door Children's Center or Door County Community Foundation. www.givedoorcounty.org.

Casperson Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Sister Bay is assisting the Hammerberg family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Norma may be shared with her family through her tribute page at www.CaspersonFuneralHome.com.

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