Twelfth Generation

283. Harold Calvin RANDALL was born on 18 August 1901 in Monroe County, WI.^51,60,127 He appeared in the census in 1910 in Grant Township, Monroe County, WI.⁴⁹ He appeared in the census in 1920 in Lincoln Township, Monroe County, WI.⁵⁶ Harold appeared in the census in 1930 in Lincoln Township, Monroe County, WI.⁵¹ He died of pancreatic cancer on 16 January 1976 at the age of 74.^127,202 He was buried in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.¹²⁷ in the LaGrange Township Cemetery.

Harold Calvin RANDALL and Norma Josephine REICH were married on 10 June 1925.^107,127,203

From an article in the Tomah Journal: "She was one of the founding members of the Kirby Homemakers Club, which was organized 15 December 1928 at Ella Sell's home. The members were Ella Sell, Mary Ann Vandervort, Mae Edgerton, Norma Randall, Martha Stellings, Gayle Arity, Ida Rowan, Lottie Rose, Lulu Dickinson and Ida Gabower. Mabel Sweet and Mary Vandervort joined at the second meeting.

Some early lessons included reed weaving, rug braiding, upholstering, making foot-stools, sulphured apples, toilet soap and dress forms.

The latter proved hilarious. One member put a gauze short-sleeved shirt on over her girdle. Then members pasted her shut by covering the shirt with gummed paper tape. When dry, it was like wearing a suit of armor. Then someone snipped from the back of the neck down, from the bottom of the shirt up; same in the front. The two pieces were pasted together, put on a standard, and, like it or not, there was your shape." Norma Josephine REICH, daughter of Amandus C. REICH and Edith Catherine MUSSON, was born on 23 July 1903 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.^36,51,60 She appeared in the census in 1910 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.⁴⁹ She appeared in the census in 1920 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. Norma graduated in 1923 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.²⁰⁴ from Tomah High School. She appeared in the census in 1930 in Lincoln Township, Monroe County, WI.⁵¹ She died on 3 December 2004 at the age of 101 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.³⁶

Obituary Notes: "Norma Josephine Randall, age 101, of Tomah, passed away on Dec. 3, 2004, at Close to Home Assisted Living Center, Tomah.

Norma Josephine Randall was born July 23, 1903, at the family homestead in the Town of LaGrange, to Amandus and Edith (Musson) Reich. She attended and graduated from Tomah High School, completing the four-year course and the teachers training course. She then taught school at the Paradise School in Grant Township until her marriage.

She married Harold C. Randall on June 10, 1925. They lived on the family farm in Lincoln Township until November of 1999. In the late 1940s, she returned to teaching at the Paradise School. She later taught at the White School and finally in the Warrens School System until the early 1970s, when she retired.

Norma was a victim of the flu epidemic, which struck the country in the years she was in high school. She was one of the fortunate minority who survived the disease, but did lose one year of school because of the illness. She attended the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse during the summer to maintain her teacher certification and broaden her knowledge. Her dedication to children and the teaching profession caused her to be loved and respected by her former students. She enjoyed receiving cards and letters from former students and especially enjoyed visits to her at the farm, Care Center and the Close to Home assisted living center.

In the years between her teaching sojourns, Norma was an active farm wife. She frequently helped with fieldwork and chores. She was an active member of the Kirby Homemakers Club for over 50 years until her passing. She had been honored as the adopted grandmother of the Kirby 4-H Club, which pleased her greatly.

She was an avid quilter and continued making hand-sewn quilts until just two years ago, when her eyesight began to fail.

Norma J. Randall is survived by one son, Douglas A. Randall, and wife Katy of Beaver Dam; four granddaughters, Susan Randall of Wichita, Kan., Gloria Randall-Hewitt and husband David of Racine; Valerie Randall-Lee and husband, Rick of North Andover, Mass.; Lynn Randall of Tigard, Ore.; one grandson, Stephen Randall and wife Becky of Neenah; five great-grandsons, two great-granddaughters and one great-great-grandson; other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters and her husband, Harold, in 1976.

The family would like to extend their deep appreciation to the staff and management at Close to Home Living Center for their compassionate care and consideration over the past four years that Norma lived there.

The funeral services will be held on Dec. 7, 2004, at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Tomah. Pastor William Swan will officiate. Burial will follow in the LaGrange Cemetery. Family and friends are invited for visitation on Tuesday from noon until the time of service at the church. Online condolences available at www.torkelsonfuneralhomes.com. The Torkelson Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements." Norma was buried on 7 December 2004 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.³⁶ in the LaGrange Township Cemetery.

Harold Calvin RANDALL and Norma Josephine REICH had the following children: