Hogrefe, Norman E. (1947-2013)
HOGREFE, LULLMAN, SNYDER, STERN, BAINUM, LORENZEN, NEWBURY, PETERSEN, LONG, WOLCOTT, WINSLOW, SURVIS, KRUGER
Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 6/14/2016 at 10:47:34
Norman Hogrefe
September 9, 1947 - August 12, 2013Surrounded by his beloved wife and children, Norman Hogrefe, age 65, entered the gates of heaven on August 12, 2013. Not ready to leave his family and friends, he, nonetheless, knew that the good Lord was calling his name. Talking in riddles, he often said, “My bags are packed and when the bus shows up, you have to jump on it.”
On September 9, 1947, Martin and Anna (Lullman) Hogrefe where blessed with Norman Ernst Hogrefe. Baptized on September 28, 1947, and later confirmed on March 26, 1961, at Zion Lutheran Church, he attended grade school at Zion Lutheran School and then graduated from Newell Providence High School in 1965. Next, he enlisted in the United States Army Reserves and attended college in Fort Dodge.
With the help of his sister, Myrna, and some "forgotten" sunglasses used as a decoy, Norm met his future wife, Lynn Petersen, of Newell. From their first date, he tried to impress his girl by wearing his best Sunday suit...to the drive-in. They married on October 24, 1970. Subsequently, they were blessed with five children: Troy, Wendy, Melissa, Derek, and Tiffany. As if five weren't quite enough, however, they "borrowed" three more children as exchange students. With God's help, Norm and Lynn remained married for forty-two years. As owner and operator of Norm’s Livestock Supply Incorporated in Storm Lake, he provided for his family and many others as well.
Because of his quick wit, warmth, and infectious laughter, Norm never had an enemy or met a stranger. Even his customers considered him family. Quick to forgive and forget, he, always, spoke the best of everyone. All those showing up at the Hogrefe house, however, had better have come with an empty belly and ready to sink their teeth into the best grilled meat in town! Then, wash it all down with some good Lutheran lemonade!
The grand kids loved to go to Papa's house. No matter how many kids he had on his lap, he, always, had room for one more. Norm loved to share his rich musical family traditions playing his beloved polkas and waltzes with his concertina, drums, and banjo here, there, and everywhere.
With his selfless ways, both at home and in his worldly travels, Norm, always, worked to make even just one person's day brighter. Most importantly, however, with his stout German vin and vigor, he never lost his valiant faith in God in spite of whatever adversity arose. He, gladly, accepted and sought out God's endless work, serving in a multitude of roles at Grace Lutheran Church. Because of his passion for children and love of God, he became a founding father of the Concordia Lutheran School in Storm Lake. He has completed his battle here on earth, but his unconditional love and strong faith, which he implanted in his family, will sustain us all. We will miss him dearly, but be comforted knowing that he will be shining down on us all from heaven and embracing us all.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Lynn Hogrefe, of Storm Lake, Iowa; his children, Troy (Andrea) and Derek (Barb) Hogrefe, of Storm Lake, Melissa (Nathan) Snyder, of Alta, of Storm Lake, and Tiffany (Dave) Stern, of Storm Lake; his mother, Anna Hogrefe, also of Storm Lake; his grandchildren-(because everyone ought to have a dozen), Tristan Bainum; Addyson, Bryce, Drew, Elli, Loggan, Madelyn, Makayli, Makenzie, and Morgann Hogrefe; Ashton Snyder; and Ava Stern; his sister, Myrna (Roger) Lorenzen, of Storm Lake; his brothers, Bob (Rose) Hogrefe, of Eagle Grove, and Arlo Hogrefe, of Storm Lake; his mother-in-law, Delores (Norm) Newbury, of Alta; his step-mother-in-law, Mary Petersen, of Whapeton, Iowa; his sister-in-law, Jerri Long, of Newell, his step-sister-in-law, Beth (Kent) Wolcott, of Whapeton, Iowa; his brothers-in-law, Jon Winslow, of Milford, Iowa, and Jon Survis, of Alta; and his sister-in-law, Michelle (Brian) Kruger, of Camus, Washington; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.
Norm was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Wendy Hogrefe; his father, Martin Hogrefe; an infant brother, Vernon Hogrefe; his grandparents, Charles and Anna Hogrefe and John and Martha Lullman; his father-in-law, Gerald Petersen; his sister-in-law, Bobby Winslow; his nephew, John, and his niece, Lisa Hogrefe.
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