Norma J. Mall

Norma J. Mall, 87, died Monday, January 15, 2018 at the Washington County Hospital, Washington. Visitation was Thursday, January 18, from 2 to 8 p.m. at Ward Funeral Home, Linn. The family received friends from 5 to 7 p.m. A funeral service was held 2 p.m., Friday, January 19 at Zion Lutheran Church, Linn. Pastor David Gruoner officiated. Eunice Beier was organist and the congregation sang “Amazing Grace,” “How Great Thou Art,” “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” and “When Peace Like a River.” Pallbearers were Randy Holle, Steve Holle, Mike Parker, Alan Parker, Todd Parker and Chad Parker. Burial was in Maplewood Cemetery, Barnes. Norma was born October 28, 1930 at Waterville to Milton and Amanda (Boerger) Behrens. She was baptized November 9, 1930 and confirmed in June of 1944 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Barnes. Norma graduated Barnes High School in 1947. On May 23, 1947, she married Willis E. Flear at St. Peter’s Lutheran. They were blessed with two daughters, Brenda and Ramona. Willis died in 1997. Norma married Tom Mall on April 24, 1999 at St. Peter’s Lutheran. Tom died in 2013. Norma was the co-owner of Gene’s Café in Barnes for years and would bake 6 to 8 pies a day and fry 8 to 10 chickens in her cast iron skillets. She worked as a cook and waitress until she was 80 years young. Norma worked in Barnes, Waterville, Greenleaf, Linn and Palmer. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for 59 years and also a member of the Circuit Riders of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. She enjoyed cooking and baking pies for others, attending grandchildren’s activities, gardening, and tending her African violets and Christmas cactus. Preceding her in death were her parents; her two husbands; brother, Melvin Behrens; brothers-in-law, Don Holle, Roy Rothlisberger; four step grandchildren; step daughter-in-law, Karen Mall; and one step great grandchild. Survivors include her daughters, Ramona (John) Hiesterman, Washington, Brenda (Dewain) Reith, Linn; three grandchildren, Tina (John) Meier, Stillwater, OK, Brandon Reith, Wichita, Holly (Chris) Duskin, Hutchinson; six great grandchildren, Brad, Rachel and Sarah Meier, Ian, Noah and Macy Duskin; great-great grandson, Marcus Meier; sisters, Darleen Holle, Riley, Delores (D.O.) Parker, Waterville and Bernita Rothlisberger, North Hills, CA; stepchildren, Mark Mall, Tonganoxie, Scott (Robin) Mall, Manhattan, Alan (Melissa) Mall, Salina, Larry Mall, Miltonvale, Brad (Jeanette) Mall, Desoto, Linda (Lenis) Weaver, Barnes; ten step grandchildren, Angela Hiesterman, Jennifer (Larry) Russell, Dalton Mall, Kenny (Sheree) Weaver, Renae (Travis) Bott, Marissa (Dylan) Dittmer, Nathan Mall, Jacob Mall, Logan Mall, Kylie Mall; step great grandchildren, Hunter, Caden, Chase Weaver and Briette, Holden, Cayson Bott; Emery and Jericho Dittmer, Felicia (Devan) O’Neil and step great-great grandchildren, Kash and Kinzlee O’Neil. A memorial fund is established to the Linn Community Nursing Home or Zion Lutheran Church School Endowment Fund. Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home, Washington. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Norma J. Mall, please visit our flower store.