Norma Godding

April 6, 1932 - June 13, 2020

A private funeral service for Norma Godding of Wadena will be held at the Assembly of God Church in Wadena, with Pastor Larry Refsland presiding. Norma, age 88, passed away with family by her side on Saturday, June 13, 2020 at the Perham Living, Perham, MN. Norma Jean Persons was born to Rolland and Nora “Sophie” (Brusven) Persons on April 6, 1932 in Long Prairie, MN. She grew up in Long Prairie until the age of 10, before moving to live with Eli and Edna Persons near Clarissa. She completed her education and graduated from Clarissa High School. Norma was united in marriage with John Charles Godding on December 6, 1952, at the Methodist Church in Long Prairie. While John was in the US Army they moved to Michigan and later returned to farm in Clarissa. In 1976 they purchased the Hewitt Café, where she served numerous customers and made just as many friends. By 1980 they moved to Eagle Bend and later retired in Wadena. Norma had the ability to develop friendships and share her relationship with her Lord Jesus. Quiet time found Norma reading and working word-search puzzles. Norma was preceded in death by her husband John on June 20, 2013; her parents Rolland and Sophie; uncle and aunt Eli and Edna Persons; brothers Roger, Robert, Jerry and Harlan; grandsons Joshua Godding and Luke Dinger; and in-laws Ray and Naomi Godding. Norma is survived by her sons Charles (Deb) of Deer Creek and Timothy (Bobbi) of Cold Spring; daughters Janet Godding of Wadena, MiLane Godding of Apple Valley and Rachel (Don) Dinger of Bismarck, ND; 11 grandchildren & 24 great-grandchildren; along with their foster daughter Camy Berndt. Honorary pallbearers will be Norma’s grandchildren. Active pallbearers will be Christopher Godding, Isaiah Godding, Anthony Murch, Rian Sudbeck, Casey Bunkowski, Levi Dinger, Dustin Uselman and Andrew Heggland. Burial will be in Woodman Cemetery, Clarissa, MN.