Richard Morris Norgaard
October 13, 1929 — January 16, 2019
Richard Morris Norgaard was born on October 13, 1929 in Harlan, Iowa to Jens and Anna Norgaard, one of seven children. He died on January 16, 2019 at the age of 89 years, 3 months and 3 days. He graduated from Harlan High School in 1950 where he ran track, played football, and was on the state mile relay team with Don Hopp, Don Klitgaard, and Paul Pauley.
Dick married Irene Mae Wiuff on June 22, 1951 at Bethel Baptist Church in Harlan, Iowa. They had five children together.
He was an avid and vocal supporter of Harlan Cyclone Athletics, at times much to the officials' dismay. Dick was a Deacon and Faithful member and servant at Bethel Baptist Church for many years and an active member of Kiwanis while living in Harlan.
He learned two different career trades from family members (electrical from Howard Stewart and masonry from Bud Wiuff). He, in turn, passed those trades on to other family members; his son, Bob, learned the electrical trade and his nephew, Denny, the masonry trade.
He had his own contracting business in Harlan for many years. He helped with the masonry and electrical on what's now known as Elm Crest, and the masonry on the new library, Veteran's Auditorium in Harlan, Shelby County Bank, and dozens of other notable buildings and homes.
Dick and Irene moved to the Des Moines area in 1987, where Dick worked for Elview Construction with his brother-in-law, Bud Wiuff. Irene passed away on September 19, 1990 after 39 years of marriage to Dick.
Dick married Linda Larson on January 2, 1993 at First Baptist Church in Harlan, Iowa; they instantly had a much larger family, essentially doubling in size!
Dick and Linda moved to Apache Junction, AZ in the early 2000's and enjoyed many years making memories with friends and family in the Arizona sunshine. Dick and Linda moved back to Iowa in 2017 to be closer to family.
Dick and Linda enjoyed several traveling adventures such as taking a trip to Dick's family's homeland Denmark with cousin Howard Norgaard and wife Elizabeth, taking an Alaskan cruise together, vacationing with family in Hawaii, and traveling throughout the Pacific Northwest with good friends. Although he developed dementia in his later years, he loved to play cards, cherished time with family, and remained a very sweet and gentle man.
In addition to his wife, Linda, Dick is survived by his children Bob Norgaard (Dalene) of Ankeny, Iowa, Brad Norgaard (Julie) of Phoenix, AZ, Brent Norgaard (Mindy) of Sioux Falls, SD, Barry Norgaard (Jennifer) of Polk City, IA, and Beth Mueller (Todd) of Parker, CO. He is also survived by his wife's children, whom he loved dearly and treated as his own, Becky Larson (Bob) of Bettendorf, IA, Jeff Larson (Shelli) of Harlan, Suzy Christensen (Jay) of Harlan, and Dave Larson (Lea) of Harlan, 26 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren, his sisters, Lilas Brockman of Harlan and Alice Stowe of Kearney, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jens and Anna, sisters Dorothy, Fern, and Margorie, brother Don, and his first wife and mother of his 5 children, Irene.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Taylor House Hospice, 3401 E. Douglas Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50317. Donations will used for assisting patients to experience love and care during their last days.
He will be remembered for his faithful acts of service, his love for his family and friends, and his unwavering trust in and love of God.
Dick married Irene Mae Wiuff on June 22, 1951 at Bethel Baptist Church in Harlan, Iowa. They had five children together.
He was an avid and vocal supporter of Harlan Cyclone Athletics, at times much to the officials' dismay. Dick was a Deacon and Faithful member and servant at Bethel Baptist Church for many years and an active member of Kiwanis while living in Harlan.
He learned two different career trades from family members (electrical from Howard Stewart and masonry from Bud Wiuff). He, in turn, passed those trades on to other family members; his son, Bob, learned the electrical trade and his nephew, Denny, the masonry trade.
He had his own contracting business in Harlan for many years. He helped with the masonry and electrical on what's now known as Elm Crest, and the masonry on the new library, Veteran's Auditorium in Harlan, Shelby County Bank, and dozens of other notable buildings and homes.
Dick and Irene moved to the Des Moines area in 1987, where Dick worked for Elview Construction with his brother-in-law, Bud Wiuff. Irene passed away on September 19, 1990 after 39 years of marriage to Dick.
Dick married Linda Larson on January 2, 1993 at First Baptist Church in Harlan, Iowa; they instantly had a much larger family, essentially doubling in size!
Dick and Linda moved to Apache Junction, AZ in the early 2000's and enjoyed many years making memories with friends and family in the Arizona sunshine. Dick and Linda moved back to Iowa in 2017 to be closer to family.
Dick and Linda enjoyed several traveling adventures such as taking a trip to Dick's family's homeland Denmark with cousin Howard Norgaard and wife Elizabeth, taking an Alaskan cruise together, vacationing with family in Hawaii, and traveling throughout the Pacific Northwest with good friends. Although he developed dementia in his later years, he loved to play cards, cherished time with family, and remained a very sweet and gentle man.
In addition to his wife, Linda, Dick is survived by his children Bob Norgaard (Dalene) of Ankeny, Iowa, Brad Norgaard (Julie) of Phoenix, AZ, Brent Norgaard (Mindy) of Sioux Falls, SD, Barry Norgaard (Jennifer) of Polk City, IA, and Beth Mueller (Todd) of Parker, CO. He is also survived by his wife's children, whom he loved dearly and treated as his own, Becky Larson (Bob) of Bettendorf, IA, Jeff Larson (Shelli) of Harlan, Suzy Christensen (Jay) of Harlan, and Dave Larson (Lea) of Harlan, 26 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren, his sisters, Lilas Brockman of Harlan and Alice Stowe of Kearney, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jens and Anna, sisters Dorothy, Fern, and Margorie, brother Don, and his first wife and mother of his 5 children, Irene.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Taylor House Hospice, 3401 E. Douglas Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50317. Donations will used for assisting patients to experience love and care during their last days.
He will be remembered for his faithful acts of service, his love for his family and friends, and his unwavering trust in and love of God.
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