Norma is my great aunt, the sister of my father’s [David Lawrence Cappiello] father [Joseph Lawrence Cappiello]. Norma was the youngest of five siblings who all pre-deceased her so Norma’s passing marks the completion of a Cappiello generation spanning from 1912 to 2021. They will all be missed and remembered fondly.
From Family Funeral Home website
Norma Madeline Cappiello Carr • July 3, 1923 – May 12, 2021
Norma Madeline Cappiello Carr, 97, of St. Lawrence, surrounded by family was welcomed into paradise by the angels early Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at the Avera Hand County Hospital in Miller.
Celebrating the journey of an extraordinary woman will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, May 24, 2021 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Miller, with Father Paul Josten, celebrant. Burial will follow at Beulah Cemetery, rural St. Lawrence. A rosary will be held at 4:30 p.m., Sunday, May 23, 2021 followed by a 5:00 p.m. prayer service, all at the church.
Norma was born July 3, 1923 to Italian immigrants, Salvatore Cappiello and Gilda (Signorelli) Cappiello. Norma was the third of five children. She grew up in an extremely close knit Italian family with her cousins being her closest friends. Her father was a baker, and her mother a seamstress. Norma attended elementary and middle school at St. Mary’s Catholic School where the nuns taught her penmanship which continued to be her trademark all her life as well as being an exceptional speller. She graduated from East High School in Auburn, New York. After a tearful departure, her parents put her on a bus to head off to nursing school- three miles from her home- at Auburn Memorial Hospital. There Norma flourished and graduated with a diploma degree in nursing. She became head surgical nurse at Auburn Memorial Hospital. She met the love of her life at the Starlight Bowling Alley outside of Auburn. When Wayne (an Air Force Air Man) walked into the room, Norma’s best friend told her “there’s the guy for you Cappy”. It was an instant attraction as Wayne stood 6’7” tall and Norma 5’2”. They were married a short time later on January 17, 1953 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Auburn, NY. On their honeymoon they attended the inaugural parade of President Eisenhauer, where they were within touching distance of the president. From Auburn, New York they moved to Wayne’s family farm north of Vayland, South Dakota, then onto to Melrose Park, Illinois, where Wayne attended National Chiropractic College in Lombard, Illinois. Norma supported the family working as a surgical nurse. Following Wayne’s graduation from Chiropractic College, they moved to Miller, South Dakota and established what is now known as Carr Chiropractic Clinic in 1959. In 1992, they moved out to the family farmhouse north of Vayland, South Dakota.
To this union five children were born: Deb, the only child born in New York; John, Chris, Wayne, and Joe, who were all born in Miller, South Dakota. Norma devoted her life to raising her children and later worked with her husband at the clinic that they established together.
Norma never stopped learning. Wayne taught her to drive a car, her children taught her how to ride a bike, and Luella Schultz taught her to swim. All luxuries she never experienced in her childhood. To the day she passed, she was always learning and teaching. She had the ability to touch people in unique ways with her passion for life which was demonstrated over the course of her 97 1/2 years.
During her 60 plus years in Miller, she was a member of Coral Lanes Bowling League, Miller Country Club, Miller Music Parents, South Dakota Chiropractors Auxiliary, (President/Vice President), Dreamers Choral Organization, Miller Booster Club, Founder of the modern-day Homecoming parade, and initiator of “after graduation” parties. She was an avid sports fan from watching her children and grandchildren to establishing brackets for the NCAA Basketball Tournaments. Secretly hoping Duke and Syracuse would be in the final game. She claims this last 2021 NCAA game was the best game she ever watched. She loved all types of music, musicals, old movies, and Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin were some of her favorites.
Norma’s nonwavering faith was the root of all her goodness. Her Catholic faith was extremely important to her. Norma had a role in the church her entire life, from a little girl in a Catholic school to serving as CCD teacher and principal. In her 60+ years at St. Ann’s, she was a member of St. Ann’s Choir and St. Ursula’s Altar Society. She spent the last several years facilitating the prayer calls and felt privileged to be in such a role. Norma was an avid reader, as she recently visited the library checking out 3 books that promised to take her on new adventures. She was a proud member of the same bridge club for 60 plus years, which kept her mind so keen. Norma was a several decade members of the P.E.O. sisterhood. She cherished the deep friendships she developed through P.E.O. Chapter AK, and bridge club.
Norma excelled in supporting all her children and grandchildren through the many passions and difficulties in their lives. Tending her legacy and preserving her stories are her children: Deborah of Spearfish, SD; John (Michelle) of Miller, SD; Chris (Jim) Keeter of St. Lawrence, SD; Wayne (Kathy) of Huron, SD; and Joe (Lisa) of Huron, SD; grandchildren: Josh (Bridget), Hans Nelson, Bjorn (Devon) Nelson, Taylor (Brooke), Lucas, William, Caleb, Sarah, Samuel, Peyton, Annie (Landon) Gatzke, Isaac, and Chloe; great-grandchildren: Noah, Avery, Finley, Harrison, Halloway, Crosby, Elsie; and numerous nephews and nieces.
Norma was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Mary and Delores; brothers, Joseph and Michael; husband, Wayne; grandson, Beau Keeter; granddaughter, Nikki Carr; and numerous relatives and dear friends.
Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Norma’s arrangements.
Post: Wise Words from Norma Cappiello Carr (video & transcription)
