Norma LeMay Demmer

Norma Demmer, age 97, passed away on Saturday, July 12, 2025. A memorial service will be held at 11AM on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at Grace Lutheran Church in Albert Lea with visitation to be held for an hour prior to the service. Pastor Henry Burt will be officiating.

The polka music was playing when Norma LeMay Demmer danced her way through the gates to her heavenly home to meet Jesus and numerous friends and family that went before her. Norma lived a good life that was full of love, laughter, faith and music. Her joyful spirit, generous heart, and kind presence was a gift to all who knew her. Norma passed peacefully from her earthly home on Saturday, July 12th after a brief hospital stay. When her time came, she was welcomed into eternity with celebration, just as she lived – with a song in her heart and joy in her step.

Born on May 22, 1928, In Easton, Minnesota, to Einer and Florence Christensen, Norma spent her first 6 years in Wells before the family moved to Albert Lea. She graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1947 and worked for both a local optometrist and dentist.

On June 19, 1949, she married Lester Demmer at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. They began their life together in Albert Lea before moving to the Demmer family farm near Hartland, MN, where they farmed and raised their family of five. During those years, many of her nieces and nephews enjoyed sleepovers and time spent playing at the farm and Norma was known for her patience and kindness to children, as well as others.

Norma’s love for people shined in every part of her life. In addition to having a full work life on the farm, she began working part time at a local clothing store in 1975 until it closed in the mid 1990’s. She went on to working part time at a laundromat in the early 2000’s, which helped fill her evenings, and continued to work there until she was 80 years old.

She was active in her community, volunteering in many different areas, including The Red Cross, Cross of Glory, the Albert Lea Solo Group, and Meals on Wheels. Whenever there was a need, Norma stepped in with willing hands and a giving heart.

Norma lived a full and glorious life, and her greatest joy was her family, many of whom were gathered this past May to celebrate her 97th birthday, where she enjoyed her celebration with a couple of cold beverages. It was a day filled with plenty of love and laughter as her humorous comments always brought a smile, and her presence made every family gathering better.

She is survived by her three sons: Jerry, Brian and Reed, and their spouses who were more like daughters to her – Julie, Teri, and Jill, as well as a daughter, Dawn Hubbell, a Turkish exchange student/honorary son Mahmut Parlar, her beloved sister Marvel Dahl, many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lester, her son, Bill (William) and her son in law, Jeff Hubbell.

Though she will be dearly missed, her family is forever grateful for her long life, and they hope that she blessed other’s lives as deeply as she blessed theirs.

In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations be made to Cross of Glory cemetery fund or Grace Lutheran Church.