JANET MARIE NORR

Janet Marie Norr, 80, of Virginia, Minn., died on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013 at Essentia Health-Virginia.

Janet was born on Sept. 30, 1932 in Brainerd, Minn., to Leo and Alice (Anderson) Bisson.

She attended school in Brainerd, graduating from Brainerd High School in 1950. She spent her sophomore year living in Pierz, where her father opened a farm machinery business. She attended Little Falls High School that year. After high school, she worked for a dentist as a dental assistant in Brainerd. She played bugle in the Brainerd Drum and Bugle Marching Band, performing in parades and district events.

She married her husband, Donald Norr, in Brainerd on June 8, 1957. Janet was a stay-at-home mom for her four sons while they were growing up. Their residence was in Proctor, Minn., during these years. She was very involved in her church, she came to know Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior and loved Him and served Him with all her heart.

She was a member of Gideon's International Auxiliary, and became the state president of that organization. Jan wrote a book titled "Matthew, A Gift of God", which has been published. The book is meant to encourage parents with handicapped children, especially Down Syndrome. She worked for 17 years as a teacher's aide in a pre-school handicapped children's program in the Proctor School District.

Janet was a member of Good Shepherd Free Lutheran Church of Virginia, where her husband is Pastor. She had been very active in her church, leading and organizing several ladies' retreats. Her calling as a pastor's wife was to support him in ministry and pray for him. She and her husband would have celebrated 56 years of marriage coming up in June.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents and her brother John.

She is survived by her husband, Don of Virginia, Minn.;, sons, Bradley (Terri Privette) Norr of Hugo, Minn., Scott (Lisa Hansen) Norr of Duluth, Thomas (Viry) Norr of Woodbury, Minn., Mathew Norr of Brainerd, Minn.; seven grandchildren, Megan, Phillip and Brian Norr of Hugo, Minn., Peder and Annagrace Norr of Duluth, Abia and Zahra Norr of Woodbury, Minn.; two sisters, Sharon (Ray) Fitzer of Pillager, Minn., and Theresa (Jerry) Blanck of Brainerd, Minn.; one brother, Martin Bisson of Brainerd, Minn.; three brothers-in-law, Ted, Richard and Alvie Norr; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

SERVICE: 12 Noon Saturday, March 9, 2013 in Range Funeral Home, 911 16th St N, Virginia, Minn., with visitation one hour prior to the service. Pastor Al Bedard will officiate. Entombment will be at Sunrise Memorial Park Duluth, at a later date. Online guestbook at www.rangefuneralhomes.com

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