Norma Martha Knutson Gandrup (legally Martha Norma Gandrup), age 98, formerly of Nevada, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, April 19, 2026, surrounded by her grandchildren at Bethany Life Nursing Home in Story City, Iowa.

A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Monday, April 27, 2026, at Memorial Lutheran Church, 701 11th Street in Nevada with Pastor Kathleen Lotz officiating. Family will greet friends at 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. Inurnment will be at Nevada Municipal Cemetery, next to her husband and two daughters.

Norma was born February 10, 1928, near Radcliffe, Iowa to Osmund and Martha (Hamre) Knutson. Norma's biological mother died two days after she was born. Consequently, Norma was baptized into Christ upon her mother's casket in their home. She was renamed Martha Norma Knutson in memory of her mother although her original name was Norma Jean. Norma is the name she chose to use through life.

After the death of Norma's mother in 1928 and as the Great Depression began, her father was left to raise 5 children including an infant, Norma. He proceeded to give Norma to his sister Bertha Knutson Handeland and her husband Carl Elmer Handeland. The only parents Norma knew in her life were Bertha and Elmer and she loved them dearly.

Norma graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1946. She fell in love with Harry Duane Gandrup and wed on August 31, 1947. They made a home in Nevada, Iowa in 1950 and opened Gandrup Pharmacy, a mainstay of downtown Nevada for years. They raised two daughters, Elaine Weidlein and Debra Gandrup (better known as Debbie). Gandrup Pharmacy was a family business and Norma enjoyed working alongside her husband. Her greatest joy in life was her family which she has joined in heaven.

Norma was preceded in death by husband, Harry, parents Carl Elmer and Bertha Handeland, children Elaine Weidlein and Debbie Gandrup, and her siblings Arlie Swenson, Lester Handeland, Kenneth Handeland, Annerine Knouse, Orris Knutson, Grace Knutson, Avis Knutson.

Those left to treasure her memory are grandchildren Cathy (Kevin) Lambert of Grand Saline, Texas, Wendy Weidlein of Webster City, Iowa and Bill Weidlein of Boone, Iowa along with many extended family and friends.

Please join us to celebrate the incredible life of Norma Gandrup. She has touched so many lives and will be greatly missed.

Memorial donations may be given to Memorial Lutheran Church in memory of Norma.

Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home of Nevada, Iowa has been entrusted with caring for Norma and her family.