Norma Ann Calene Pfiester, 92 years young, was born Nov. 2, 1930, to Hilma and J.B. Calene in the log house on the family farm on Nora Creek Road, near Troy. She was the sixth of 12 children: Lucile, Willis, Kenneth, Vivien, Evelyn, Louise, Pete, Maryann, Mike, Faye and Larry. She helped her father with milking cows, logging and farm chores. She was baptized with six of her siblings and cousins, written in the Min Sklaat. They attended the Lutheran Church in Troy.
Norma attended the one-room White Pine Country School from 1936, kindergarten to first grade, then Troy Grade School and graduated from Troy High School in 1948.
She married Robert D. Pfiester on Oct. 27, 1950, in Troy. Four children were born to them, Christine in 1951, Kathy in 1953, Cheryl in 1955 and Steven in 1957. They lived in St. Maries then moved to Elk River in 1958 where she resided until Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, when she passed peacefully at home to be with Jesus.
Norma was a homemaker and became a Girl Scout leader and Den Mother Cub Scout leader from 1961-65. She was an excellent seamstress creating many costumes for school plays, programs and all of our clothing. She was active with PTA of Elk River Public School and made desserts. The taffy was the most fun and hard work. She later worked as a flagger on State Highway 8 on the Neva Hill pavement project in 1972. Norma served as a deputy sheriff from July 1, 1975, under Nick R. Albers along with her husband. She and Bob were custodians of the Elk River Public School from and served as an Emergency Medical Technician from 1976-79 with the Elk River Fire Department. The opportunity to purchase the Elk River Café came in 1979 and she worked there until 1996 when she sold the café and retired from her work. She enjoyed making quilts for her grandchildren. Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune were her favorite shows.
Norma is survived by her daughter, Cheryl (Tim) Brinkley, 16 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren; brothers Larry Calene, Mike (Patty) Calene, sisters Maryann Lund and Louise Larrazola and many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.
Celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5, at Elk River Recreation Center, 112 Second Ave., Elk River.
Memorial donations may be made to the Elk River Bible Church, the Syringa Club of Elk River, the Elk River Fire Department or to your favorite charity.
Short’s Funeral Chapel of Moscow is in charge of arrangements and condolences may be left at shortsfuneralchapel.com.
