Norma Jean Bittner

Obituary for Norma Jean Bittner Norma Jean (Kerling) Bittner, passed away on July 10, 2025, at N.C. Little Hospice house in Edina at the age of 92. Preceded in death by her husband, David and her parents, Bernadyne and Edward. She will be deeply missed by her daughter, Linda, adopted daughter, Danna Hermes, special friend, Colleen Weber and many other close friends and colleagues. Born on June 19, 1933, in Austin, MN. Norma lived with her mother and grandparents while growing up in Austin and said her Grandma Ferguson was her greatest inspiration in life along with her dear Aunt Gladys. She was surrounded by strong women at a young age and modeled her life after them. She loved growing up in Austin and was an avid supporter of Hormel Foods. So much so, that she would only buy Hormel brand bacon! After graduating from Austin High School, Norma went to Junior College and then on to the University of Minnesota where she earned a bachelor's degree in teaching. Her first teaching job was in Red Wing, MN in the 1950's. She loved to shop and budgeted every dollar she got to pay the rent and leave enough left over to buy herself clothes, shoes and gifts for her Mom and Grandma. After leaving Red Wing, she moved to the Twin Cities and took a job teaching at Richfield High School in the early 1960's. She taught business classes including typing and shorthand. She often bragged about writing Christmas gift lists in shorthand because she knew she could leave them out in the open because no one else could read them. Norma made many lifelong friends while teaching. She was still organizing luncheons and pie parties for her teacher friends right up until her death and the group had a standing reservation at the Olive Garden every other month. Norma met her husband David on March 17, 1963. It was St. Patrick's Day and she knew from their first date that he was the one! She was impressed that he had shined his shoes and wore black socks. They drove to Hudson, WI in a snow storm to eat at the restaurant David had picked out. They were married 5 months later on August 17, 1963. Their daughter, Linda, was born 4 years later and Norma said it was the happiest day of her life. She quit working until Linda was in school and then chose to join the private sector work force rather than return to teaching. She worked for a lot of colorful bosses and companies but made friends everywhere she went including Colleen and Danna. She retired from work several times but always got bored and went back. She finally retired for the last time at the age of 89. Norma loved living in Edina and supporting the Edina schools. She particularly enjoyed Edina boy's hockey and laughed when other parents would try to talk to Dave about sports and he'd tell the guys to talk to Norma because she knew more than he did about it. She was also an avid Minnesota Gopher fan and was a season ticket holder for men's hockey for more than 25 years. Her other sports favorites included Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics and Vince Lombardi and the Green Bay Packers. Norma was a kind hearted, no nonsense woman who spoke her mind and was always available to lend an ear and give advice. She was a friend and mentor to all who knew her. She loved staying active and enjoyed walking her German Shepherd dogs and doing aerobics and Pilates with Linda. She never gave up her love for shopping She never smoked, drank or swore and did everything the "right" way. She had a deep faith in God that gave her strength as she dealt with several health issues over the past 2 years. She felt very blessed to have Linda living with her the last few years because it gave her the ability to stay in the home she loved. Norma will be laid to rest at Ft Snelling National Cemetery alongside her beloved husband. In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to Hope Presbyterian Church in Richfield, the Mayo Foundation in Rochester, the Salvation Army or the University of Minnesota Men's hockey scholarship fund.

Tributes

Norma Jean Bittner

June 19, 1933 - July 10, 2025

Tributes

Norma Jean Bittner

June 19, 1933 - July 10, 2025

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