Norma (Kautz) Mossman

Norma Kautz Mossman died peacefully after a long decline on June 8, 2023 at CentraCare Care center in Monticello, MN.

Norma Gertrude Kautz was born on October 25, 1932 in Des Moines IA at the Iowa Methodist Hospital to Clarence and Gertrude (nee Hintz) Kautz. Clarence was a chemical safety engineer in the early petroleum industry. His work led his family first to Cedar Rapids IA and then to Houston and Galveston Texas during World War 2. There Norma developed a life long aversion to heat and humidity and deep impressions about racism in America after neighbors objected to her Black little girl playmate. After the war Norma’s family relocated to Arlington Heights, Illinois during her secondary school years. Norma enjoyed music and dancing and would often recall her high school choir once getting to sing with Frank Sinatra.

Norma attended Luther College in Decorah Iowa, majoring in Christian education and graduating in 1953. She had early insight into the importance of faith formation in children by parents at home. While at Luther, Norma met James Francis Mossman. They married after graduation in 1953 and made their first home in St Paul Minnesota, where James “Frank” attended Luther Seminary.

In 1957, shortly after the birth of their daughter, Elizabeth, they moved to Montevideo, Minnesota where James Frank served his first call as a pastor to the Mont and Jevnaker Lutheran churches. Norma invested herself deeply in the congregations and community, driving all across the county as a census taker for the 1960 census. The family then moved to Bloomington, Minnesota, with brief residences in Wilmar, Minnesota and Boston, Massachusetts for James Frank’s training in clinical pastoral education (CPE).

In 1964 the couple built a home in partnership with Norma’s father on the bluffs of the Mississippi across from Hastings Minnesota. James Frank served as chaplain and CPE Supervisor at the Hastings State Hospital while Norma applied her creative gifts in a number of ways. She wrote occasional columns for the Mississippi Valley Star newspaper, assisted a cross cultural arts initiative at the nearby Prairie Island Indian reservation, and engaged in environmental advocacy for cleaning the Mississippi below the 3M Chemolite plant upriver from the family home. She loved the view of the Mississippi and, in fact, lived next to the river, in Hastings and later Monticello, for the rest of her life. In 1967, Norma and James Frank, along with Clarence, helped establish St. Philip’s Lutheran church in Hastings. She sang in its choir, assisted with its education program early on, and enjoyed a years long journey through the bible with a small weekly study group.

A defining event in Norma’s life was the year spent in Birmingham England in 1969-70 when James Frank undertook postgraduate theological studies. Norma relished the culture of the UK and the adventure of traveling. After that year she played host to a number of international friends when they visited the United States. She was an expert guide at showcasing the Twin Cities for others.

Norma loved to learn. She adored books and liked to savor her newspapers. She completed a Masters degree in religion and art at United Theological Seminary in New Brighton Minnesota in 1982. She volunteered for a number of years as a docent with the Minnesota Museum of Art in St. Paul, helping people grow in their capacity to experience art. She collected art works, china, antiques, and had a good eye for quality. She encouraged local painters by hosting several shows at The Croft, a retreat center developed with James Frank. Norma was a faithful correspondent with many people, usually including a news clipping or two of mutual interest along with her own musings.

Norma and James Frank divorced in 1980, though they remained friends and committed co-parents to their children. Norma never remarried. She cared for her father in Hastings until his death in 1992. In 2010 she moved to Monticello to live closer to her son Robert.

Norma was preceded in death by her mother and father, and her ex-husband. She is survived by a daughter Elizabeth Mossman Gerber (Daniel) of La Borne France, son James Hoover Mossman (Lorinda) of Mount Ayr Iowa, and son Robert Mossman of Monticello Minnesota; 6 grandchildren—Colin and Joseph Mossman Gerber; Jennifer and Michael Hoover Mossman; Peyton and August Mossman; one great-granddaughter—Ivy Butler Gerber; several beloved cousins and nephews, other relatives and friends that enriched her life.

The family has named St. Philip’s Lutheran church and The Nature Conservancy as suggested memorials in lieu of flowers.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, June 15, 2023 at 11:00  AM. at St. Philips Lutheran Church, 1401 15th St. W. in Hastings. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Philips Lutheran Church or the Nature Conservancy.