Norma Jean (Sturgis) Munson

Norma Jean Munson, 76, of St. Paul, Minnesota, passed away on March 21, 2023, surrounded by her family.

She was born Norma Jean Sturgis on December 2, 1946 to Dolly & Arthur Sturgis and grew up with her younger siblings Art, Kathy and John. She met Gary Munson at Johnny’s Cocktail Lounge with her cousin Nancy in December 1966.  He asked her to dance and called her the wrong name but she agreed, and after some persistence on his part trying to get a date she relented.  Months later she went to her doctor complaining of feeling ill and was officially diagnosed by her doctor…she was in love.   They were married August 17, 1968.

Norma and Gary had 4 children beginning with Michele in 1970, David in 1973, Drew in 1976 and Katie in 1981.  She and Gary lived in St. Paul, Minnesota, Houston, Texas and Chicago, Illinois before moving to Worthington, Minnesota to raise their family.  She frequently told each of her children in confidence that they were her “favorite” until the very end.  Her children were her world even when they exhausted her with their antics, and she was their cheerleader through every stage of life.  And she taught them a love of life and the simple things, hunting for great deals, handling anything in life with a remarkable sense of humor, and an open heart to accept anyone with love and most importantly...to have F-U-N always.

She was so in love with her 13 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren (and one on the way), and they “loved her to the moon and back.”  She delighted in spending time with all of them and her children, playing games, thrift store hunting, telling stories and imparting her wisdom that they all carry with them.

Throughout her life, Norma loved antiques, architecture and traveling.  She took many trips with Gary, friends, family and cousins.  She had a beloved extended group of friends in Worthington, Minnesota who all raised their children together and became like family.  Family was integral in her life, and she didn’t care about blood, if you were her family, you were loved and welcomed with love, laughs, food and a “libation.”  Everyone who met her will forever remember her spirit, sense of humor, and infectious laugh.

Norma started her own Celebration of Life long before she left us, and we will continue to celebrate her every day. Her house was filled with laughter, her children, grandchildren, family and friends until the very end.  She spent her last months living to the fullest, enjoying her family, many Bloody Mary’s, getting her first ever tattoo and rocking multi-colored hair.  Her spirit was never dimmed and she never stopped making us laugh.

She was welcomed home by her mom Dolly, her dad Arthur, her brother Art, her brother John and sister Kathy, along with so many other loved ones.  She will always be loved and missed by her husband Gary Munson, daughter Michele Scott & husband Marc Wemple, son David Munson & wife Amber Munson, son Drew Munson & wife Tita Munson, and daughter Kathleen Munson; grandchildren Desmond Scott, Saige Scott, Regan Scott, Anthony Wemple, Ben Wemple, Tre Munson, Zach Munson, Kaia Columbos-Munson, Anjolie Lo, Edward Renshaw and Bella Renshaw; and great-grandchildren Vinny Loyas, Lucy Scott, Natalie Hockenberry, Princeton Hockenberry, Miguel, Margaret Wemple, Frederick Wemple, Eleanor Munson and Theoden Allerson; and many, many of her lifetime friends and “chosen” family and several beloved granddogs.

A private service is planned for family and a Celebration of Life will be held on May 27, 2023 with details to follow.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Norma’s name to the American Cancer Society.