Obituary of Mary Jane Norman

Mary Norman a 70 Year Resident of Excelsior Dies At 95

Mary Norman born in 1924 in Cokeburg, Pa., spent 70 years loving Lake Minnetonka and the village of Excelsior, living on Gideon’s Bay and Excelsior Bay. Mary passed away on April 16 residing at The Waters, Excelsior.

Mary, enjoyed working in a maternity ward, was a nanny, a waitress on Broadway in NYC, (there she met her husband Arnold (Arnie) Norman, a merchant marine, from Minneapolis). She was also quality control manager for a pharmaceutical company and managed a variety of retail stores in Excelsior Village. She and her husband Arnie built, and operated the Aqua Bowl bowling lanes in Deephaven - she held a bowling average of 177! Upon retiring Mary passionately volunteered at the Shorewood senior center for 20 yrs.

Mary could still out polka the best at age 95! Not only that, but she could engage in sports, politics, breaking news, tell a joke, make you laugh, help you even if you didn’t want help, give you advice even if you didn’t want advice, she was your safe ’go to’ listener, she befriended strangers who became dear friends, and of course, she always had fresh baked cookies to offer. To those who knew her, she will be missed.

She is survived by 3 children Kjell, Kent (Mary) and Eric (Mary); 8 grandchildren and 14 1/2 great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her Husband; sister, Ann Luketich; and son-in-law, Ron Plotkin.

A Private memorial will be held at a future date.

Memorials may be sent to Community for the Commons Conservancy, Excelsior or ICA Food Shelf, Minnetonka.