Norma Dison, PhD, RN

Dr. Norma Dison, 86, of Rochester, died March 6, 2014 at St. Marys Hospital.

Norma Jean Greenler was born near the village of Florida, Ohio on February 7, 1928 to Carl and Nellie Greenler.  They had her baptized and confirmed in St. John's Lutheran Church in Holgate, Ohio.

She graduated from Holgate High School, Holgate, Ohio (1946), Valparaiso University with a BA degree(1952), Kahler Hospital School of Nursing(1952), University of Minnesota with MA, MS, and PhD degrees(1974,78, and 85). She was elected to membership in Sigma Theta Tau, a national nursing honor society. During her career, she was a member of local and national nursing organizations and held a number of offices in them.

Norma taught at Methodist-Kahler School of Nursing, St. Mary's School of Nursing, Saint Teresa's College, Rochester Community College, and Winona State University, retiring as Professor of Nursing Emeritus. She was the first full-time faculty member hired by Winona State University to teach on the Rochester Campus. She helped to design and taught in the ladder and master's program for nursing at Winona State University.

She wrote 4 editions of the nursing textbook, Clinical Nursing Techniques, 11 editions of Drugs and Solutions for Nurses, contributed to several editions of Mosby's Comprehensive Review of Nursing and to nursing journals. The textbooks were translated into several languages. The American Journal of Nursing recognized Clinical Nursing Techniques as the book of the year. She presented research nationally. She is listed in numerous Who's Who publications and was nominated by a former student and presented with a faculty Certificate of Honor by the State Board for Community Colleges in 1991.

She was a member of the Rochester Quilt-society. For several years, she co- conducted the Bernina Club and the Embroidery Club at Dave's Creative Sewing Center. She was an award winning quilter. She also created a number of banners for Bethel Lutheran Church. She was a life member and past president of Methodist-Kahler School of Nursing Alumni. She was a life member of the Senior Citizens, a member of Bethel Lutheran Church, Sons of Norway, and a member of the History Center of Olmsted County.

Norma and Harold Dison were married on August 15, 1953 at Trinity Lutheran Church, in Rochester, Minnesota. In addition to her husband of 60 years, she is survived by one son, Larry (Debbie) Dison, Major United States Army retired, Louisville, KY and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one son Val Ludwick Dison, 3 sisters, and 5 brothers.

Norma's Funeral Service will be held at 11am Tuesday, March 11, 2014 at Bethel Lutheran Church (810 SE 3 ^rd Avenue, Rochester) officiated by Pastor Norman Wahl.  Visitation will be from 5:00pm – 8:00pm, Monday, March 10, 2014, in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home, (1105 12 ^th Street SE, Rochester) with a 7:00pm prayer service officiated by Pastor Anjanette Bandel and Elizabeth McGeeney, director of the Children's choir.  Vistiation will also be one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.  Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to Bethel Lutheran Church, Rochester or Good Earth Village, Spring Valley, MN.

On-line condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.