George Frederick NORRIS

NORRIS, SEYMOUR, HELMICH, HOWARD, MELCHERT, BOSSEN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 9/6/2008 at 22:04:13

George Frederick Norris, born February 8th, 1914, in Rockford, IL. George passed away at Lake Ridge Care Center on May 5th, 2006. The world lost a beautiful spirit when George left to join his father, George William, and mother, Edith May Seymour Norris on May 5th, 2006. He also joins his sister, Violet Norris Helmich as well as many other relatives. George is survived by his wife of 65 years, Dolores Marie Howard Norris; as well as two daughters, Juanita Melchert (Maurice) and Kathleen Bossen (Howard). He leaves behind 6 grandchildren, Brad, Marnita, Brian and Michelle Melchert, Colin and Jorin Bossen as well as 7 great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews and friends.

George always had a sparkly smile and twinkle in his eye. His children, their spouses and grandchildren always looked forward to seeing him because he would always come up with a joke or prank. George started his adult life working for the American Crystal Sugar Factory, working along side his father. However, he always wanted to become a farmer, and after he and Dolores were married, September 29th, 1940, they moved to Renwick, IA, where he started share-farming with his brother-in-law, Carl Helmich after which he rented a farm in the same area. He and Dolores then moved to a rented farm in Belmond, IA where he continued to raise prime beef, crops and garden and orchards. While living there, George was written up in an area farm magazine. They then purchased a farm in Waconia, MN, which he farmed for many years. They sold 180 acres, keeping the house, outbuilding and 10 acres. Here he continued to raise prime garden and orchard crops, sharing with friends and family. He also started working with Lowry Nature Center, part of the Hennepin County Park System, as a grounds keeper.

After both Dee and George retired, they moved to Briggs Lake, Clearlake, MN where he was, again, an avid gardener, which kept Dolores busy doing and enjoying canning and freezing the fruits of his labor. There he was involved with the Briggs Lake Association and could be counted on to be a helpful neighbor. They then built a house on the bayou of Briggs Lake and followed that with building a house in Clearwater, MN, where they remained for several years. During their retirement years, they did a lot of wonderful traveling throughout the United States, traveling first in their pickup truck with a topper and graduating to a fifth wheel. George and Dee moved to St. Benedicts Assisted Living in Monticello, MN and then to Lake Ridge Care Center on January 31st, 2004. We will miss our sweet, gentle giant, handsome husband and wonderful Dad, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather and friend. Funeral services 10 AM Tuesday at the funeral home. Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday one hour prior to services. The Peterson Chapel Buffalo.

Star Tribune, Minneapolis, MN
May 7, 2006