Norma Jean MacArthur

Norma Jean MacArthur died on March 20, 2025 at Jenkins Living Center in Watertown, SD. She was residing in Sioux Falls, SD prior to going to the nursing home.

Norma Jean MacArthur was born a free spirit on March 4th, 1938. As was her style of doing things in her own way, she started her life waiting for no one. She was born to Leonard and Nanna (Hansen) Paulson, in a room above the garage before her father was able to make it back with the doctor. She was raised on the family farmstead near Irene, SD, with her brothers Richard, Roger (Jerry) Paulson and sister, Verona Hybertson. She graduated from Irene High School in 1956.

Norma had two children from her first marriage to Leo Bohlmann. Michael Bohlmann (Diane) of Wakonda, SD and Nancy Schaffer, Fargo, ND.

Norma had an adventurous spirit and lived an unconventional life. She was a trailblazer in many ways. She was the first woman to enter the AA program in Fargo, where she met many lifelong friends and helped many through their own recovery journey. She became an advocate for the underdogs of the world and dedicated her life to helping others. Later in life, she went to an intensive educational program at the Edgar Cayce School in Virginia Beach, VA where she studied to become a holistic healer and massage therapist.

Norma was many things. She travelled the world to many unusual and extraordinary places including the Philippines (as a volunteer for the Peace Corps), China, Nepal and Egypt. When she wasn't traveling, she was known for acquiring speeding tickets and giving others complimentary driving advice. She loved taking care of her beautiful flowers and feeding the neighborhood birds and squirrels.

Norma was preceded in her death by her parents, brothers Richard and Jerry and her son Michael Bohlmann. She leaves behind her daughter, Nancy Schaffer, her sister Verona, sister-in-law, Violet Paulson and all of her "favorite" granddaughters, Christe Hybertson, Ashley Schaffer, Chelsa Bohlmann, Amber Schaffer along with 5 great-granddaughters and 4 great- grandsons.

Funeral service will be held March 29th, 2025, at 1:00 at Hansen Funeral Home in Irene, SD. Reception to follow at the Irene Community Center to follow.