Norma Traxel

Norma Esther (Zeiszler) Traxel, 85, died on June 8, 2025, of natural causes.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, June 14, at Bethel Lutheran Church, 615 E Turnpike Ave, Bismarck. To view the service livestream, click this link Bethel Lutheran Church | Facebook

Visitation will be held from 5:00-6:30 PM, Friday, June 13, at Bethel Lutheran Church. A prayer service will begin at 6:30 PM.

Burial will be held at the Beulah City Cemetery.

Norma was born on November 30th, 1939, in Mercer County, 10 miles North of Golden Valley, ND. She was the first daughter born to Walter and Pauline (Schulz) Zeiszler. Norma was baptized on December 10th, 1939, and confirmed on July 12th, 1953, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Halliday, ND.

Norma attended Country Grade School (Wentz School) for eight years. She graduated from the 8th grade in June 1954. She completed one year of high school in Golden Valley, ND.

Norma met LeRoy Donald Traxel and they dated for three years. LeRoy enlisted with the Army and while he was home from Basic Training, he and Norma married on December 26th, 1957, at St. James Lutheran Church in Golden Valley, ND.

After raising four children and moving back and forth between Las Cruces, New Mexico and North Dakota, they settled on a hobby farm in Bismarck. Norma enjoyed gardening, quilting, sewing, crafting, baking and going to Bible Studies at church. While working on her hobbies, she could often be found listening to polka music on her stereo. She also loved spending time with her family. She was a true farm girl and continued to love the land with LeRoy.

Norma is survived by her daughter Beverly (Monte) Gegelman of Greenfield, WI; daughter-in-law Peggy Traxel of Lincoln, ND; sisters Shirley Riedemann of Hazen, ND and Lucy (David) Erbstoesser of Bismarck, ND; sister-in-law LaVerna (Gary) Scheid of Hazen, ND; eight grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren (with one on the way) and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, LeRoy, of 46 years; parents, Walter and Pauline Zeiszler; sons, Gene Traxel and Kenneth Traxel; daughter, LeAnn Traxel; daughter-in-law, Beverlee (Nelson) (Traxel) DeWaard; grandson Christopher Traxel; and her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Robert and Erna Traxel.