Remembering Connie Norling
Connie R. Norling, retired telecommunications staff member, passed away Sunday, October 18, 2020 at Valley Senior Living-Woodside Village in Grand Forks. She was 82.
Connie Rosetta Bartlette was born Aug. 21, 1938, in Langdon, N.D., to Mabel (Rousseau) Bartlette and Arthur J Bartlette. Connie graduated from Walhalla High School and then moved to Grand Forks. She was united in marriage to Ronald D Norling on March 9, 1963 and together raised 3 children; Ronald D. Norling Jr. (Shannon), Anthony S. Norling and Sheri L Gustafson (Alex). They were blessed with 6 grandchildren; Ronald D. Norling III, Megan L. Hest (Tyler), Benjamin T. Norling, Tanner A. Norling, Taylen L. Norling and Tasha Brenno as well as 4 great grandchildren; Lily, Tristen, Johanna and Eleanor.
She retired from UND, where she answered and routed all incoming calls in the telecommunications department. She loved this position because she was helping people, something she lived to do. Connie was a born caretaker and had a gift of making people feel loved and at home. She had a compassionate, welcoming heart, especially for children. She and her husband Ronnie were supporters of St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Her grandchildren were her heartbeat and could do no wrong in the eyes of Grandma. She loved with an unconditional, fierce love that lives in the hearts of her children and grandchildren today.
Connie found the good in everything, her glass was always half full. She had an infectious laugh and was a bit of a comedian in her family, finding humor in everyday situations and making everyone else laugh as well. She also liked to pull pranks on others, especially her husband Ronnie and late sister Ruthie Ann, with whom she had a special bond.
She was avid reader and had a deep love of music, history and her Catholic faith. She could always be heard singing or humming a tune. She encouraged others to read because “when you read, you can go anywhere.” She loved learning the history of her family and spent many years researching and created a family tree that dates back to 1771. She always encouraged her children to be thankful to God and seek Him in times of trouble. One of her other enjoyments was taking her grandchildren to rummage sales and taught the joy of rummaging, something that carries on today.
Connie was a true angel here on earth, always thinking and putting others above herself. She was the matriarch of our family, the light of our lives and will be greatly missed.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Mable Bartlette; her husband, Ronnie; granddaughter, Tasha; sister, Ruth Ann (Robert) Stallmo; brothers, Maynard (Peggy) Bartlette, Joseph Bartlette; infant siblings, Jackie, Alma Kay, Kay Ann, Vernon and Vernice Bartlette; her parents-in-law, Rueben and Verna Norling; grandparents, Louise and Patrick Rousseau and Joseph B and Marguerite (Lafferty) Bartlette as well as several aunts and uncles.
She is survived by her children; grandchildren; sisters-in-law and her many beloved nieces and nephews.
