Earl Stanley Norgaard, the son of Hans Peter and Christine Marie Buttker Norgaard, was born February 11, 1927 in Colter, Iowa. When he was a child, his family moved to the Spencer area where he received his early education and graduated from the Spencer High School in 1944. Following his schooling, Earl enlisted with the National Guard and served for over 12 years.
On November 14, 1948, Earl married Phyllis Chapman in Rochester, MN. Following their marriage, they farmed in Rochester for 6 years, they then moved to Spencer in 1953 and then to Dickens in 1962, where he continued farming and trucking. In his younger years, Earl enjoyed racing cars in Jackson, MN and Milford, IA. He was a faithful member of the Faith Pentecostal Church in Spencer. Anyone that knew Earl would say he lived his life as a hard worker. But Earl always found time for the loves of his life. He had a love of Harley motorcycles. He had a love for trucks. He had a love for his family as many memorable stories can be told. But most of all Earl had a very strong love for the Lord.
Although leery Earl went forward at a Lundstrom Crusade on March 25, 1971 and he
gave his life to the Lord. This was the beginning of his Christian life. As Phyllis will tell you "He was hooked on the Lord"! Earl would often leave in the morning in his truck with his Bible in hand so that he was ready to share the Lord whereever he went. He would often ask the Lord to let him meet people so that he could share his faith. The Lord answered Earl's prayers and allowed him to meet people in truck stops and in rest areas as he traveled. Earl often shared his stories with others and felt blessed by the people he was able to lead to the gospel.
Earl wants everyone to remember him as a "Crusader for the Lord" and still is.
Earl went to be with his Lord on April 2, 2010 at the age of 83. He is preceded in death by his parents, one grandchild and one great grandchild.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Phyllis; his children: Alan (Laualee) Norgaard of Ankeny, IA, Peter (Rosemary) Norgaard of Dickens, IA, Bruce (Tammy) Norgaard of Merril, IA, David (Mary) Norgaard of Sioux Rapids, IA, Suzann (Terry) Rabel of Spencer, IA, Dennis (Marleen) Norgaard of Dickens, IA and Sheri (Don) Young of Story City, IA; 16 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; other relatives and many friends.
SERVICES
Funeral Services will be held at 1:00PM on Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at the Faith Pentecostal Church in Spencer.
OFFICIATING
Pastor Dale L. Hodges
CASKET BEARERS
Lonnie Norgaard
Christopher Norgaard
Zech Norgaard
Nathan Norgaard
Corey Young
Luke Young
HONORARY CASKET BEARERS
Don Bjorklund
Cappie Winslow
Gary Logan
John Vander Haag
Karl Monsen
Alvin Norgaard
VISITATION
Will begin at 2:00pm on Tuesday with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00pm at the Warner Funeral Home in Spencer.
MUSIC
Congregational Hymn
"Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus"
INTERMENT
Dickens Cemetery
Dickens, Iowa