Arno Richard Norman, 86
Fairmont – Funeral Service for Arno R. Norman, age 86, of Fairmont, will be 11 a.m. on July 14, 2023, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fairmont with interment in Lakeside Cemetery in Fairmont. Visitation will be 4:30-7:30 p.m. on July 13, at the Lakeview Funeral Home in Fairmont and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on July 14. Arno passed away on Friday morning, June 30, 2023, at Goldfinch Memory Care in Fairmont. The Lakeview Funeral Home in Fairmont is assisting the family with arrangements. Memorials may be directed to St. Paul Lutheran Church or School.
Arno Richard Norman was born in Rutland Township, Martin County, Minnesota on March 20, 1937, to John and Mildred (Oppedahl) Norman. He was baptized at Grace Lutheran Church, Fairmont and later was confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fairmont. He attended district school in Northrop, through the eighth grade and then went to Fairmont High School, graduating in 1955. After high school, Arno enlisted in the Army National Guard and served for seven years. Arno was active in 4-H as a member and later as an adult leader. Through his achievements in leadership, he was awarded the highest award in leadership at the National Club Congress. Arno began farming at an early age and was active in FFA earning the highest achievement as an American Farmer.
Arno and his wife Karen Miedtke were married on July 1, 1960. They were blessed with four children, ten grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Karen Norman; children, Kathy (Brian) Johnson, Bridgett; Darryl (Paulette) Norman, Zach and Danielle; Robert (Marnie) Norman, Alissa, Lindsey, Luke, and Jack; Donna (Paul) Nawrocki, Jake, Nick (Ashley) (Ava Jo, Casey and Reggie) and Sam Lee; brother-in-law, Roger (Charlene) Miedtke; and sister-in-law, Mary (Tom) Westcott; nieces, nephews, other extended family and friends. Family was very important to Arno and he and Karen put on many miles attending all the events of their children and grandchildren.
Arno was always active in his church, holding various offices and on many of the boards of the church and school. Arno was an active member of the Lutheran Laymen’s League as well as a member of the Minnesota South District where he served as President for the Minnesota South Orphan Grain Train. Arno started working at the Fairmont Schools in the maintenance department in 1967 and worked his way up to being Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds until retiring in 1999. After retiring he worked in the spring and fall for an area farmer and he also worked as an on-call funeral assistant for Lakeview Funeral Home.
Preceding Arno in death were his parents, Mildred Oppedahl Norman and John Norman; parents-in-law, Paul and Viola Miedtke; and brother-in-law, Tom Westcott.
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