Norma J. Peterson, 62, New England, died Friday, June 7, 2013 at her home surrounded by her family. Norma’s funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, June 13, 2013 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, New England, with Rev. Bruce Peterson officiating. Inurnment will take place at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with the family present from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral ervice, Dickinson. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday. Pallbearers for Norma will be Hugo and Diana Hanson, Donna Rustan-Stang, Sonja Schoch, Gail Doe, and Kevin Schaefer. Honorary pallbearers are all her family and friends.

Norma Jean Sayler was born September 15, 1950 in Wishek, the daughter of Edwin and Lydia (Just) Sayler, and was raised on the family farm eight miles south of Lehr. She attended country grade school through the second grade and graduated from Lehr High School in 1968. She then attended Capital Commercial College in Bismarck, receiving her degree in 1970.

On her birthday in 1970, Norma met the love of her life, Barry Peterson, they were married May 20, 1972. Barry joined the United Stats Army in 1972 and Norma enjoyed the army life for three years at Fort Carson, Colo. While living in Colorado, they had two children, Dallas and Michelle. In 1976, they moved back to North Dakota and a third child was born, Travis, completing her family.

She had many endeavors throughout the years and enjoyed each and every one of them. Norma was known for her infectious laughter and work ethic. She made a lasting impression on everyone who had the opportunity to be around her, whether it be a shoulder to cry on or to simply sit and chat for awhile. She retired as the Publisher of The Herald on February 8, 2013, a job which allowed her the ability to involve herself within the community amongst friends and family.

Norma loved to read, cross-stitch, and especially loved watching her children grow up along with playing with her grandchildren. She could often be seen with her grandchildren at the pool and the parks; often with more energy than the kids.

She will be deeply missed by her loving husband, Barry; three children, Dallas (Michele) Peterson, Colorado Springs, Colo., Michelle (Jason) Biegler, Steele, and Travis (Charlotte) Peterson, Shalimar, Fla.; seven grandchildren, Eric Fischer, Morgan Biegler, Jacob Biegler, Tyler Peterson, Melissa Peterson, Kaitlyn Peterson, and Trenton Peterson; four sisters, Della (Delmar) Schilling, Wishek, Vangie (Walter) Ketterling, Wishek, Linda Mosset, Wishek, and Blanche (Jim) Nagel, Garrison; a brother, Jim (Crystal) Sayler, Pollock, S.D.; two sisters-in-law, Jan (Chuck) DeFoe, Hettinger, and Jerilyn (Harvey) Bieber, Brockway, Mont.; a brother-in-law, Howard (Randa) Peterson, Amidon; an aunt, Irene Sayler, Bismarck; a special aunt-in-law, Christine Weisz, Hettinger; and numerous nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edwin and Lydia Sayler; her in-laws, Pauline and Howard Peterson; and a brother-in-law, Andrew Mosset.