Norma L. Youngstrum of Ottawa died on March 11, 2021 at Pleasant View. She was 97, born on July 14, 1923 in Chicago to Carl and Hilma Gustafson.
Norma grew up in Chicago, but spent 2 ½ years in Smaland, Sweden when her parents bought a farm and moved there during the Depression. They returned to Chicago, and Norma graduated from Hirsch High School. She married Philip Youngstrum on April 10, 1948. They lived in Chicago, then moved to South Holland, IL in 1967. Norma moved to Ottawa after Philip’s passing on March 8, 1998.
Norma was a legal secretary for attorney George McCabe in Chicago for more than 30 years.
She loved her time in Sweden, and could still speak and write in the Swedish language. Until recently, Norma corresponded in Swedish with relatives overseas. She loved her children, grandchildren, God, and her many pets, especially her cat Sassy. At age 97, she was still painting in oils, reading books, and keeping up on current events. She was well known for her Swedish pepparkaker cookies. Norma loved gardening, and spent many days in the spring and summer in her yard. She loved being a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in South Holland, and joined Trinity Lutheran Church when she moved to Ottawa.
Surviving are her daughter Christine (William) Kushner of Arlington Heights and her son Paul (Terry) of Ottawa.
Norma had 7 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. They include Karen Kushner (Julien) Pellier of Rennes, France; Emily Kushner of Denver, Colorado; David (Jessica) Kushner of Chicago; Claire Kushner (Brandon) Binkley of Westfield, Indiana. Also, Grant Youngstrum of Ottawa, Gavin Youngstrum of Three Rivers, California, and Griffin (Laura) Youngstrum of Ottawa. Her great-grandchildren include Jane Pellier, Lorenzo Kushner, and Stella Binkley.
Mrs. Youngstrum was cremated, and a celebration of her life gathering will be held on Saturday, April 24, 2020 at 11:00am at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottawa. Memorials can be given to Pet Project in Marseilles, to Trinity Lutheran Church, and to Redeemer Lutheran Church in South Holland.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Norma L. (Gustafson) Youngstrum, please visit our floral store.