Norma Jean Meyerhoff McConnell

Norma Jean Meyerhoff McConnell (Ficken), age 96, passed away on Saturday, September 13, 2025 at her home at Dow Rummel, a caring and loving community, in Sioux Falls, SD. Norma was born on April 26, 1929 to Herman and Ruby Barner Ficken in Sioux Falls, SD. She was welcomed by her older sister Orabell. Norma was the apple of her dad’s eye.

Norma attended Washington High School in Sioux Falls and graduated in 1947. Later that year, Norma was a contestant in the very first Miss Sioux Falls pageant.

Norma met her future husband Lawrence “Larry” Meyerhoff in 1948 at a dance in Brookings, SD where Larry attended what was then South Dakota State College. They were married in Sioux Falls in 1949.

Together Norma and Larry had eight children. They raised them in Sioux Falls, New Hope and Mankato, MN. Norma had her hands quite full raising six boys and two girls. Her hands were always busy with working in the garden, quilting, decorating her home, cooking for her family, and discipling her boys. She was famous for her olive hot dish, pumpkin pies, her sense of humor, and competitive enthusiasm. She will be greatly missed especially during rousing card games of Hearts and cribbage, where even at 96 years of age she reigned triumphant.

In 1992 Larry and Norma retired to Bella Vista, AR. In Arkansas Norma had a multitude of friends, played cards, golfed, and was active in her church. She used her beautiful soprano voice singing in the church choir and also the Bella Vista Women’s choir.

In 2018 Norma moved back to Sioux Falls to be closer to family.

Norma was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, her husband Larry in 2001, her granddaughter Sally Meyerhoff in 2011, her grandson Lawrence “Tres” Meyerhoff III in 2019.

Her spirit is carried on by her eight children, Lon Meyerhoff (Kim), Shannon Painter (Gene), Mark Meyerhoff (Mary), Richard Meyerhoff (Judy), Matt Meyerhoff (Lynette), Tom Meyerhoff (Alice), Caroline Holmberg (Leslie), and Bill Meyerhoff (Ann); 17 grand children and 15 great grandchildren.

A celebration of Norma’s life will be held at the Halladay-Peterson Chapel at Dow Rummel Village in Sioux Falls on Friday, September 19, 2025 at 2 pm.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Joseph Cathedral in Sioux Falls.