Norgaard, Donald M. (1922 - 2018)

NORGAARD, DAILEY, STOWE, BROCKMAN, PETERSON, LOTZ, MORRISON, HOLLOWAY, BEHRENDT

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 2/16/2018 at 14:39:18

Name of deceased: Donald Madsen Norgaard

Aged: 95 yrs, 3 mo, 17 days

Residence: Elk Horn, Shelby County, IA

Born: Oct. 12, 1922; Harlan, Shelby County, IA

Died: Jan. 29, 2018; Salem Lutheran Home, Elk Horn, Shelby County, IA

Funeral services: Friday, Feb. 2, 2018; Grace Baptist Church, Harlan, IA; burial was in the Harlan Cemetery, Harlan, IA

Survived by: Sons, Dennis (spouse, Kathleen) Norgaard of Council Bluffs, IA and Donald (spouse, Barb) Norgaard of Harlan, IA; grandchildren, Nancy Norgaard, Susan Norgaard, Aaron Dailey, and Donnie Norgaard; 4 great-grandchildren; siblings, Alice Stowe of Kearney, MO, Lilas Brockman of Harlan, IA, Richard (spouse, Linda) Norgaard of Ankeny, IA; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, Jens and Anna (nee Peterson) Norgaard; wife, Pearle Norgaard (deceased 2013); son, James Jay; sisters, Dorothea Lotz, Fern Morrison, and Marjorie Holloway

Education: Attended grade school and high school in Harlan, IA until he left school after the 9th grade to work full-time at a local farm.

Religious affiliation: member of both Bethel Baptist and Grace Baptist churches, both in Harlan, IA; he was a devoted Christian, and enjoyed reading his Bible, attending church services, and singing hymns.

Military service: Drafted into the U. S. Army in 1942. Don went on to serve his country in the European Theater during World War II. While in Holland, Don led a scout patrol of 10 men into enemy territory, gathering intelligence with his unit that earned him the Bronze Star Medal. Later, Don’s unit came under attack in Belgium; he was shot in the foot, and he and his entire unit were captured before being liberated days later by members of the French Underground. After a brief hospitalization, Don and his unit were sent back to the front lines in Germany. Again his unit came under attack, and this time he suffered injuries to his side, back, and legs. Don was taken as prisoner to a German hospital where he survived for more than 7 months before being liberated by American soldiers when the war ended. He was honorably discharged in 1946, and returned to Harlan. In addition to having earned the Bronze Star Medal, Don was awarded the Purple Heart with an Oak Leaf Cluster, EAME Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, and the WWII Victory Medal.

Marriage: Pearle Behrendt; June 1, 1949; Bethel Baptist Parsonage, Harlan, IA

Employment: Worked several jobs, including as a mechanic at Petersen Battery, Norgaard’s DX gas station, and Lawn and Leisure, and as a school bus driver. For several years, he ran his own small engine shop, where he spent much of his time fixing lawn mowers.

Hobbies/Interests: time spent with family

Sources: harlanonline.com; kjan.com; pauleyjones.com