Norma Mabel Oswald | 1928 - 2023
Obituaries-Mobridge / Posted Mar 22, 2023 | 9:54 AM / 473 views
Norma Mabel Oswald, 94, Rapid City, SD, passed quietly on Saturday, March 18, 2023 at Morningstar Assisted Living.
Funeral services will be held at Saving Grace Community Church in Eureka (formerly United Methodist Church) at 10:30 am, Saturday, March 25, 2023, led by Pastor Shawn Abbas. Interment will be at the Eureka Cemetery when possible. Organist will be Wendy Fauth and the congregation will sing “Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound” and “Blessed Assurance”. Barry and Ronda Lapp will sing “In the Garden”. Ushers will be Kip Lutz and David Grenz.
Visitation will be at Lien-Straub-Carlsen Chapel, Eureka, from 5 to 7 pm Friday, March 24.
Norma was born to Christ and Ida (Hirsch) Lutz on September 24, 1928. She was raised on a farm near Java, SD, and attended Buckenberger country school through 8th grade. She eventually married her schoolmate and nearby neighbor, Oliver Oswald, on October 24, 1948. They began their married life on a farm four miles south of Hecla, SD. They finally settled on their own farm 16 miles southwest of Eureka, where they raised four children: Clyde, Sherry, Beverly and Kirby. The Oswald’s enjoyed 68 years of marriage, ending with Oliver’s death on August 2, 2017.
A life well-lived would be the best description of our mom. She was never one who wished to be a trailblazer…rather, she enjoyed being a caretaker, making sure everyone else’s needs were tended to, and always before her own. She charitably gave of her time and energy no matter what the task. Her volunteer time at the faith-based second-hand store was something she especially enjoyed. She loved to garden, and her gardens produced enough to feed the family and many friends and neighbors; she was a generous, kind soul. Norma’s true talent was in cooking and baking German foods, including strudles, knoepfles, cheese buttons, and kuchen which was second to none. Quite often, folks would drop in deliberately during the noon hour knowing that an invitation to dinner would be offered; this especially applied to the Watkins salesman who undoubtedly planned his sales visits to the Oswald household to coincide with lunch hour. Norma has likely found the kitchen in heaven and is surely cooking up a storm! We’ve no doubt she has also located cleaning supplies.
Norma was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church and was active in the United Methodist Women’s group. She demonstrated her commitment to Jesus through her gracious love for family, church, and community.
Norma and Oliver’s travels together took them throughout the U.S. They especially loved Alaska, and visiting friends and relatives. Spending time with their family and especially with grandchildren and great-grandchildren was a great joy for them. Whenever babies were in her presence, she had an innate ability to calm and comfort. She was the baby whisperer.
Norma is survived by her children, Sherry Oswald (Robb Rasmussen) of Rapid City, Bev (Terry) Dye of Casper, WY, and Kirby of Rapid City; daughter-in-law, Sandy Oswald of Wakpala; her siblings Darlene Lindemann of Rapid City, Lee (Phyllis) Lutz of Aberdeen, and Richard Lutz of Oklahoma City, OK; seven grandchildren: William Domagall of Spearfish; Kassandra Hubbard of Villard, MN; Wisteria Usera of Hohenfels, Germany; Zane Potter of Casper, WY; Kymberly Allen, of Haughton, LA; Cameron Potter of Youngsville, LA; and Dylan Oswald of Mobridge; and 15 great-grandchildren.
In addition to Oliver, Norma was preceded in death by her father, Christ, on September 2, 1969; her mother, Ida, on February 26, 1979; her son, Clyde; and 6 siblings: Verna Pfeifle, Deloyd Lutz, Wilfred Lutz, Ruth Gill, Arnold Lutz, and Marvin Lutz.
Honorary bearers will be Norma’s grandchildren that are unable to attend the funeral.
Casketbearers will be grandchildren—William, Zane, Kymberly, and Dylan.
Norma’s funeral will be livestreamed at the Lien Family Funeral Care Facebook page.
Services are in care of Lien-Straub-Carlsen Chapel, Eureka.