Norma Ellingson

Hastings resident Norma J. Ellingson, 85, passed away Friday, October 31, 2014, at Perkins Pavilion, Good Samaritan Village in Hastings, Nebraska. Services will be held on November 6, 2014 at 2:00 PM at Govier Brothers Mortuary in Broken Bow with Pastor George Kilmer officiating. Burial will be in the Broken Bow Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, 8 AM to 8 PM at Govier Brothers. Norma was born August 20, 1929, in Merna, Nebraska to Floyd Achilles and Anna Opal (Small) Johnson. She graduated from the Merna High School Class of 1947. Her extra curricular activities all centered on music and she loved to sing. She was baptized on May 23, 1950 in her parents’ home at Merna, Nebraska. Norma married Fred Ellingson on April 5, 1947, in Broken Bow, Nebraska. To their union two children were born; Darrel Fred and Dennis Dale. They lived happily together on a farm west of Berwyn, Nebraska. Fred preceded her in death on August 16, 1978. She was a homemaker, a wonderful Mother and Grandmother. Norma always had a smile on her face and was loved by everyone. She was a fun loving woman and a delight to be around. She loved music and her favorite television show was Lawrence Welk. She loved to cook and bake; and was always there to help others. She was active in the local HEO club and wrote a weekly column, “The Gilford Items,” for the Custer County Chief. After Fred’s death she moved to Hastings to be near her family. She worked at the Golden Age Center, Goldbeck Towers, Good Samaritan Snack Shop, and Sunnyside Nursing Home. All these jobs were cooking related, because she loved to cook and be around people. Norma was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Opal Johnson; husband, Fred Ellingson; sisters Evelyn Hostick, Ruth Martin, Patricia Seeley, and brothers Vernon Johnson, Doug Johnson, and Erwin Johnson. She is survived by son Darrel and his wife Karilyn of Hastings; grandsons include Douglas of Axtell, Jeffrey of Juniata, Kevin of Hastings; son Dennis and his wife Debra and granddaughters include Melissa Stafford of Wyoming, and Kathleen of Juniata; one brother Robert (Bud) Johnson of Lincoln. She was loved and cherished by her great-grandchildren including Sadie, Maegan, Michael, Copelan, and Caleb; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Norma will be missed by family and friends.