Norman George Rodgers (2023)

DANATO, GUTSHALL, RODGERS, VAUGHN

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 11/8/2023 at 18:04:37

Des Moines Register
Des Moines, Iowa
Sunday, September 3, 2023

Norman George Rodgers, age 95, of Winterset, Iowa passed away on Wednesday, August 30, 2023.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 5, 2023 at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 1020 24th Street, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266. Visitation will be held one hour before the service at the church. Burial will be held at Resthaven Cemetery.

Norman Rodgers was born on September 21, 1927 on the family farm at Chatfield, Minnesota. Norman was the sixth child of William and Rhoda Rodgers.

Norman’s first eight years of schooling was at a one room country school. Norman graduated from Chatfield High School. In 1945, at the age of 17, Norman joined the Navy (with his mother’s signature) during World War II. Norman served on the USS Pecos AO65 in the Pacific, Okinawa and occupied Japan. Norman’s ship returned to San Francisco in December 1945 and was decommissioned at Oakland, California. Norman later served on a ship at Bremerton, Washington and was honorably discharged in 1946. Upon discharge, he joined the Naval Reserve and during the Korean Conflict was recalled to active duty. Norman proudly served on the battleship USS Wisconsin BB64.

Norman came to Iowa in 1947 for college at AIB in Des Moines and had a part-time job in a grocery store. After college, Norman went to work for Thriftway of Iowa stores and later became a store manager. Later, Norm and Norma bought their own store in Adel, Iowa which they operated for 27 years.

Norman also became involved in politics with the Democratic party. He served two terms as a state representative and four terms as a state senator. In the Senate, Norman was Chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, Chair of the Finance Committee and during his last two years in the Senate he was voted the President Pro Tempore presiding over the Senate.

After leaving the Senate, Norman was with the Alcoholic Beverage Division of the State of Iowa as the Executive Assistant to the Administrator. Norman retired from the State of Iowa in 1992 and farmed until 2010.

Norm was an avid woodworker. He made many beautiful items of walnut and white oak. Norm also enjoyed big game hunting in Wyoming and Montana and fishing in Canada.

Norman was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. He was active and served as president of the Adel Rotary Club. Norm also served on other various clubs and organizations in Adel. Norman and Norma were founders of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in West Des Moines in 1956 and were lifetime members.

Norm and Norma had a wonderful relationship with their grandchildren and enjoyed watching them grow up. They also enjoyed their great grandchildren. Norm and Norma had 64 wonderful years together. Norma preceded Norman in death in 2014. He was also preceded in death by his mother, father, four brothers and a sister.

Survivors include a daughter, Pamela (Harry) Gutshall of Kansas City and a son, Michael (Christie) Rodgers of Winterset. Five grandchildren Nicholas (Alison) Gutshall, Emily (Rusty) Vaughn, Zachary Rodgers, Andrew Rodgers and Jacob Rodgers. Six great grandchildren Reid, Rex, Rhett and Roma Vaughn, Lillian and Adler Gutshall.

Memorials in loving memory of Norman, may be directed to the family.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at mclarensresthavenchapel.com for the Rodgers family.

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