Norma Jean Sweigart

Norma Jean Sweigart, age 90, of Cottage Grove, Minnesota passed away peacefully on Monday, May 26, 2025.

Norma Jean Shue was born on December 14, 1934 in York, Pennsylvania to John and Crissie Shue. She started taking piano lessons early in life. At around age 13, she met Harvey Clay Sweigart, her first and only love. Friends at first, then romance. When Norma was 19, she married Harvey. Harvey joined the Navy which meant that Norma was also in the Navy now. In 1955, they had their first baby girl, Peggy, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania then moved to North Carolina, and then back to Pennsylvania while Harvey was overseas. In 1960, second baby girl, April, born in York, Pennsylvania. When Harvey returned to the states, the family moved to Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. Then a move to Jamison, Pennsylvania for a short stay, then to Algiers, Louisiana for another short stay. Then on to California. In Alameda, California, her first and only baby boy, John, was born in 1964. From California, back to Pennsylvania for a short while and then on to Long Island, New York. All the while, Norma was playing the piano for church services, cantatas, children’s programs, etc. After New York, she went on to Gardner, Kansas where her and Harvey learned to Square Dance. In 1970 the family moved from Gardner, Kansas to Cottage Grove, Minnesota. And this is where she stayed and called home, continuing to play the piano and teach piano lessons. In 1973, baby girl, Amy, was born. Norma has played the piano for so many events, church services, children’s programs, grade school choir, weddings and funerals. She even played the piano “on a stick” at the state fair! Norma has touched so many lives with her love for music and her soft touch on the piano. She is loved by many and will be missed by all. We are certain that she is rejoicing in our Lord in Heaven along with Harvey and has found a piano to play.

She is preceded in death by husband, Harvey; and parents, John and Crissie Shue. She is survived by children, Peggy Mulnix (Paul Schnacky), April (Joel) Hitchcock, John (fiancée, Gina Crabtree), and Amy (Mark) Walsten; grandchildren, Michael Mulnix, Andrew (Heidi) Mulnix, Eric (Amy) Sweigart, Ben (Tara) Mulnix, Cory (Erica) Sweigart, Jacob (Jane) Hitchcock, Adam Hitchcock (Melaina Steig), Jonathan Walsten, and James Walsten; nine great-grandchildren; brother, John Shue; and other loving family and friends.

Celebration of Life 12 PM with visitation beginning at 10 AM, Friday, May 30, 2025 at Bethel Baptist Church, 2100 Delaware Ave., Sunfish Lake, MN 55118. Burial 1 PM, Monday, June 2, 2025 (Assembly Area #2) at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN.