Ralph Norman

Ralph Sovern Norman, 82, of Atlantic, passed away January 21, 2004 at the Heritage House in Atlantic, Iowa. Ralph was born September 21, 1921, in Lafayette, Indiana, the son of Charles Alfred and Edith Sovern Norman. He graduated from Atlantic High School in 1942 and entered the Navy immediately. He was stationed in Iceland for 10 months and later was in the South Pacific for 2 1/2 years stationed on the USS England, DE635, a Destroyer Escort. Ralph was proud of his years in the Navy. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart.He was discharged in 1945 and was employed at Pettersen Firestone Store as a tire salesman for 6 years. He was married to Barbara Howard in Lewis, Iowa on February 15, 1948. In 1952 he started the Ralph Norman Real Estate business, which he and his wife had for 30 years. Ralph was always proud to say that Atlantic was his home town. He was active in the community and he enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf, tennis and all water activities. He made many trips visiting family and attending grandchildren"s activities in Texas, Montana, Kansas and Minnesota. A favorite activity was meeting with a coffee group twice a day. Ralph is survived by his wife Barbara; two sons and daughters-in-law Rick and Maggie Norman of Missoula, MT, and Dan and Betty Norman of Salina, KS; two daughters and sons-in-law Jo and Jack Wagner of Atlantic and Kay and Dan McCarthy of Minnetonka, MN; Nine grandchildren Brian Wagner and wife Jennifer, Ryan Norman and wife Leslie, Sarah Payne and husband Ryan, Toby Norman and wife Tara, Andy and Bethany Norman, Adrianne, Meghan and Aubrey McCarthy; a great-granddaughter Ella Grace Payne and a great-grandson Alex Clabaugh; a brother Charles Norman and wife Ruth; a sister Rosemary Becker and husband Raymond; sisters-in-law Margaret Norman and Elizabeth King; brothers-in-law Dick Howard and wife Denny, Dale Howard and wife Marilyn and David Howard and many nieces and nephews.He was preceeded in death by a son Timothy in infancy; his parents, a brother Melvin Norman and a brother-in-law Dale King.Funeral InformationIN LOVING MEMORY OFRALPH SOVERN NORMANBorn September 21, 1921Lafayette, IndianaENTERED INTO RESTWednesday, January 21, 2004Heritage HouseAtlantic, Iowaat the age of 82 years, 4 monthsINTERMENT10:00 A.M.Atlantic CemeteryAtlantic, IowaMEMORIAL SERVICESJanuary 23, 200411:00 A.M.Evangelical Free ChurchAtlantic, IowaOFFICIATINGReverend Terry SchoenfeldEvangelical Free ChurchMUSICAL SELECTIONS"His Strength is Perfect&" by Bethany Norman "Because He Lives&" by Ryan Norman"Some Golden Daybreak&"Congregation ACCOMPANISTS Heidi RolandBEARERS Brian Wagner Ryan Norman Andrew Norman Bethany Norman Steve Howard Toby Norman Kirk Norman Paul King HONORARY BEARERS Scott Howard Adrianne McCarthy Meghan McCarthy Aubrey McCarthy Sarah Payne Nancy Becker Kathy Titus FLOWER COMMITTEE Randy Larsen Peggy Larsen Lana Westphalen Norma HemphillFriends and relatives are invited to a luncheon and fellowship at the Evangelical Free Church following the committal service.