Norvella “Nory” Solberg, 83, Belfield, died surrounded by her family on Sunday, September 23, 2018 at Sanford Health, Fargo. Nory’s Funeral Service will be 11 a.m., Thursday, September 27, 2018 at Belfield Lutheran Church with Pastor Roger Dieterle officiating. Interment will follow at Belfield Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Ladbury Funeral Service and will continue on hour prior to services at the church on Thursday. There will be a prayer service at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Ladbury Funeral Service.
Norvella Lavonne Gresz was born January 15th, 1935 at her Aunt Agnes’s home in Belfield. She is the daughter of Frank and Amy (Johnson) Gresz and is the eldest of four children. Nory was raised on the family farm east of Fairfield where she attended Snow School to receive her elementary education. This is also where she was taught the value of a hard day’s work by helping her dad in the fields and tending to the livestock. Growing up, Nory developed a special bond with her sister, Bonnie that would remain as such her whole life.
Norvella attended High School in Belfield, graduating in 1953 as Salutatorian of her class. While in High School she worked with her Aunt and Uncle doing bookwork for their business, Redmond Trucking. After graduation, she began working at the First National Bank of Belfield.
On October 19, 1954, Nory married Thomas Solberg. Tom and Nory made Belfield their home while raising six children. In 1968, the couple purchased the Mobil Gas Station which would become known as Tom’s Service Center. They operated it together until Tom’s death on December 1st, 1980. Norvella continued to operate the business which will be hitting a milestone of 50 years this November.
The service station is where she could be found working six days a week, serving her customers in any way she could. Throughout the years, she met many people and developed a lasting friendship with them.
Nory enjoyed being with family at birthdays and holidays. She enjoyed cooking when she had the time. She also enjoyed reading, acquiring a vast knowledge in anything from automotive, medical, cooking and current events. If you called her while at work, in between selling a battery and sizing the right tires for your car, she could tell you the proper way to make classic hollandaise sauce. Often times, she was called for a first opinion before going to the doctor.
Although there were many hardships throughout her life, her most notable attributes were her perseverance in continuing on and the resilience to endure whatever came next. Norvella gave what she had without reservation. She truly held the well being of others in her heart. God Bless You Mom.
Norvella is survived by her children, Tim (Ame) Solberg of Belfield, Joyce (Dennis) Reisenauer of Belfield, Rhonda (Darrell) Tooley of Dickinson and Ken (LuAnn) Solberg of Belfield. Her two daughters in law, Tami Solberg of Williston and Sherry Solberg of Sturgis, SD. Her grandchildren, Ryan (Jessica) Solberg, Kimberly (Adam) Becker, Chris Solberg, Tom Solberg, Shenna (Myles Jessop) Solberg, Erica (Andy) Kessel, Shawn (LaRae Benz) Reisenauer, Amber (Rodney) Hofstad, Alexis (Scott) Poswilko, Brooke (Reid) Rykowski, Tori (Cole Olson) Tooley, Bradley Solberg, Danielle (Jacob) Jones and Rachael Solberg. Her two step grandchildren, Laci Campbell and Justin Tooley, 18 great grandchildren, 6 step great grandchildren, her two sisters, Bonnie Buckman and Gloria Gresz and her brother, Arnold Gresz, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Tom and her two sons, Jim and Keith Solberg.
