Norma Waring

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Norma Ann Waring, 77, of Ree Heights, passed away peacefully, Sunday, August 7, 2022, at the Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital in Miller.  Her final days were spent surrounded by her closest friends and family.

Funeral Service will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 12, 2022, at the Ree Heights Auditorium, with Andy Gerrard, officiating.  Burial will follow at Morningside Cemetery.  A visitation will begin at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, August 11, 2022, followed by a 7:00 p.m. prayer service, all at the Ree Heights Auditorium.

Norma was born on January 4, 1945, in Huron, South Dakota to Irving and Edith (Mortensen) Rogers.  She attended Rogers Country School, south of Wessington, with her siblings and cousins.  She graduated from Wessington High School in 1963. Norma attended Nettleton College in Sioux Falls before marrying the love of her life, Jim Waring, on March 2, 1964.  They moved south of Ree Heights and started their family with Todd, and their daughter, Tonja, soon followed.

Growing up, Norma was active in band, choir and 4-H where she earned a trip to the Denver Livestock Show.  She showed cattle and was a consummate seamstress.  Later, she spent many hours sewing for her family and neighbors, teaching sewing to South Hand 4-H’ers, sewing costumes for plays and Halloween.  In 1975, she placed 2nd in a National Grange Sewing Contest for a denim outfit she made for Tonja.  Her final sewing project was Barbie doll clothes for great-granddaughter, Samantha.

In 1986, Norma and Sally Sivertsen bought Nicole’s Closet, a consignment store in Miller.  She felt it was something the community needed.  She was on the boards of the Miller C&C and Glacier Lakes Tourism.  She loved visiting the small South Dakota towns and hearing their needs. She cherished her many women friends through the years who, in turn, appreciated her for her laughter, kindness, and loyalty.

Norma always had dinner ready for her family at 12:00 p.m. sharp and could whip up a meal in an instant for the unexpected, regardless of how many people.  Having her family and friends around her farm table for visiting and laughter was what she lived for.  She always knew what was happening on the ranch any given day.

Her joy as a grandmother was immeasurable.  Todd’s four sons were a part of her daily life, and she looked forward to every moment they stopped in to talk.  She would watch Tonja’s three children a few weeks each summer on the ranch and made trips to visit them.  She never missed an event for her kids, grandkids or great grandkids, if she could help it.  An avid wrestling fan, she got to watch all seven of her grandchildren wrestle and was one of the first to arrive to assure she got the best spot.  She even traveled to Texas to watch music and sporting events, including regional and state wrestling tournaments.

Norma taught many years of Sunday school, Vacation Bible School and attended Pleasant Valley Church in South Hand.

Grateful to have shared her life is her husband of 58 years, Jim Waring of Ree Heights, SD; son, Todd (Robin) Waring of Ree Heights, SD; daughter, Tonja Waring of Tierre Verde, FL; grandchildren and great grandchildren: John (Liz) Waring, Samantha, Carson and Caden of Miller, SD; Jake (Kate) Waring, Langston of Miller, SD; Patrick (Mallory) Waring, Savvy of Miller, SD; Paul (Rebecca) Waring, Ree Heights, SD; Chloe Wujek, Beaufort, MO; James Wujek, Tierre Verde, FL; and Anjolie Wujek, Bozeman, MT; brother, Dick Rogers, Wessington, SD; sister-in-law, Ronda (Gary Skoglund) Harstad, Pierre, SD; nieces, nephews, and incredible friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Margaret Shockman; brother, Donald Rogers; father and mother-in-law: Ronald and Wilda Waring; and her special friend, Marlene Schock.

Memorials can be sent to Hand County Health, Wellness, and Community Foundation, 300 W 5^th St., Miller, SD 57362.

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Norma's arrangements.