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| Kenneth R. Norbie, Age 92 |
| Visitation Location: |
Holy Cross Lutheran Church, St. Cloud, Minnesota |
| Visitation Date/Time: |
Saturday, August 21, 2021 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM |
| Funeral Time: |
Saturday, August 21, 2021 at 11:00 AM |
| Funeral Location: |
Holy Cross Lutheran Church, St. Cloud, Minnesota |
| Burial Location: |
Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, Minnesota |
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Kenneth R. Norbie, 92
St. Cloud, MN
September 25, 1927 – April 7, 2020
Kenneth R. Norbie, age 92, of St. Cloud, passed away peacefully at his home on April 7, 2020 with his loving wife at his side.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 21, 2021 at 11:00 AM at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in St. Cloud, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial with full military honors was at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN. The service will be live streamed on the Holy Cross Lutheran Church website at www.hclutheranchurch.org. Funeral arrangements were made by Benson Funeral Home, St. Cloud, MN
Ken was born on September 25, 1927 to Nels and Viola (Carlson) Norbie in Granite Falls, MN. Due to Viola’s health issues, Ken was only four days old when his immigrant grandparents from Norway, Rasmus and Tillie Norbie, took him and raised him as their own on a farm by Diamond Lake with his cousin Luverne Norbie and uncles Luther and Roy Norbie. At 18 years of age, Ken was drafted into the US Army serving as a guard for prisoners of WWII at Antwerp, Belgium. He was stationed at Tempelhof Airbase during the Berlin airlift. Shortly after his discharge he was called back into service by the US Army for the Korean War, 1950 - 51. As infantry, Sergeant Ken Norbie received several commendations including the Bronze Star with V Device for valor.
On August 1, 1950, Ken married Arlene Bernhagen in Atwater, MN. They were long- time residents of St. Cloud and raised three children, Bob, Tom and Barbara. After 37 years of marriage Arlene passed away from cancer. Ken married Alice (Anderson) Iverson on December 10, 1988, in St. Cloud. They had been married for 31 years at the time of his death. Ken was blessed with two devoted wives in his life.
Ken loved his family dearly and always looked forward to spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren at the lake, fishing, soaking up sun, telling silly Norwegian jokes, flower gardening, playing 500, and feeding the birds.
Fortified by his Christian faith, Ken chaired a church worship committee, served on church council, and was an elder and usher. In his retirement years he spent thousands of hours volunteering - 26 years at the St. Cloud Hospital, 16 years at the VA Hospital, and many years with RSVP, and Meals on Wheels. He was president of the Jefferson Elementary School PTA and Cub Scout leader (Pack 66) for the same school. He was an active member of the Sons of Norway and was very proud of his Norwegian heritage. He served as lodge president, sub-district director, and had the distinct privilege of being installed in Norway as a director on the International Board of Directors. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion and VFW. Ken worked 12 years as a salesman for Purity Baking Company and 25 years as Sales Supervisor for the Minneapolis Star and Tribune.
Ken is survived by his wife Alice (Arlie) of St. Cloud; his children Bob (Mary Lou) Norbie of Great Falls, MT; Tom (Priscilla) Norbie of Oahu, HI; Barbara (Marty) Jacobus of Indio, CA; stepchildren Kathi Murphy (Ron Marzi) of McGregor, MN; Bob (Sandy) Iverson of Duluth MN; grandchildren Dan (Annie) Meyer, Christy Meyer, Kirsten (Jorge) Poveda, Erik Norbie, step-grandson Michael Douglass; and great grandchildren Tyler, Aubrey, Gabe, Jude, and Isla. He also leaves a brother Ron (Eleanore) Norbie, sister Penny Kempenich, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Arlene, stepmother May, sister Mary Holt, brother-in-law Wally Anderson, son-in-law David Meyer, daughter-in-law Cathy Norbie, and brothers Donald and Luverne Norbie.
Ken will be remembered as a dedicated servant of his Lord and Savior, for his love of family and friends, his optimistic outlook on life and his caring and giving personality.
Memorials are preferred to Holy Cross Lutheran Church or a charity of your choice.
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