Norman W. Lias 1939 - 2017

LIAS, MICHAEL, BOYLE

Posted By: Connie Swearingen -Volunteer (email)
Date: 9/20/2017 at 22:44:10

Sioux City Journal
9 August 2017

Norman W. Lias, 77, of Sioux City, passed away Monday, Aug. 7, 2017, at his home.

Services will be 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Boniface Catholic Church, with the Rev. Brent Lingle officiating. Burial will be in Westfield Twp. (Iowa) Cemetery, with military rites. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., a Third Degree Knights of Columbus rosary at 6:30 p.m. and a vigil service at 7 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Condolences may be offered online at www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Norman was born on Dec. 7, 1939, on the family farm near Westfield, Iowa, the son of Wayne W. and E. Pauline (Michael) Lias. He graduated from Westfield High School.

On May 17, 1958, He married Mary Lou Boyle. He served with the U.S. Army from 1959 to 1961. He and his wife returned to Iowa to work and raise a family. Norman attended Western Iowa Tech Community College and worked several years in the field of heating and A/C. He returned to W.I.T. and for more than 22 years was an instructor of the heating and A/C program, retiring in 2006.

In his younger days, Norman enjoyed racing motorcycles. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. Norman was the man whom could fix or make just about anything, and was always the first one there to lend a helping hand. Toward retirement, he was able to put his creative mind to work. He served as a consultant for private companies, he hand crafted a variety of furniture for his many family members, and participated in art, painting and writing classes. He relaxed by reading Louis L'Amour books, watching his John Wayne movie collection, and feeding the birds and squirrels from his custom built feeders. Norman looked forward to his weekly coffee club with other retired W.I.T. instructors, but most of all, Norman enjoyed, and was extremely proud of his family.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Mary Lou; daughters, Patti (George) Turcotte of Kalispell, Mont., Marie (Jeff) Simmons of Sioux City, and Paulette (Greg) Klemme of Akron, Iowa; brother, Don Lias of McCook Lake, S.D.; sister, Fran Wirth of Blue Earth, Minn.; 13 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Helen Hoffman; brother, Harry "Bud" Lias; brothers-in-law, Al Wirth and Daryled Hoffman; and nephew, Donald James Lias.