Norma Jean Rager, 93, of rural Roann, Indiana, died at 1:40 am, Monday, September 27, 2021, at her home. She was born on December 31, 1927, in South Bend, Indiana, to Floyd and Josephine “Jo” (Shipley) Fruitt.
Norma was a 1946 graduate of Laketon High School. She married Todd S. Rager at the Peabody Chapel in North Manchester, Indiana on February 23, 1947; he died April 3, 2016. She worked at Mr. Dave’s Restaurant and retired from Peabody Retirement Community, both in North Manchester. Norma was a former member of the Jolly Janes Home Ec Club for more than 50 years. She enjoyed sewing, crafts, and gardening.
She is survived by seven children, John Rager of Roann, Rick (Cheryl) Rager of Bremen, Indiana, Larry (Sonya) Rager of Silver Lake, Indiana, Tom (Janis) Rager of Peru, Indiana, Donna Fowerbaugh of North Manchester, Tammy Carter and Jeff (Natalie) Rager, both of Roann, 16 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren, brother and sisters, Dan (Debbie) Fruitt of North Manchester, Carol Sue Richards of Noblesville, Indiana, Janet Michael of Warrenville, Illinois, Janene (Tony) Batta of Lafayette, Indiana, Sharon (Jim) Dunnick of Columbia City, Indiana, 2 sisters-in-law, Phyllis Fruitt of West Lafayette, Indiana, and Adeline Fruitt of Florida. She was also preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Leon Fruitt, Eldon Fruitt, and Ron Fruitt, sister, Joan Franklin, and great-grandson, Chase Tennant.
Funeral services will be 2:00 pm, Thursday, September 30, 2021, at Congregational Christian Church, 310 North Walnut Street, North Manchester, with Pastor J.P. Freeman officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, North Manchester. Friends may call 4-8 pm Wednesday, September 29, 2021, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Bender Chapel, 207 W. Main Street, North Manchester.
Preferred memorial is Parkview Hospice.
The memorial guest book for Norma may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.
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