Obituary of Vern Norton

Memorial Tribute Vern Edwin Norton was born in Sanborn, IA on June 30, 1928 to Warren and Pearl (Holmes) Norton. He grew up on a farm near Sanborn, and graduated as Valedictorian from Sanborn Public High School. On March 9, 1947, Vern married his high school sweetheart, Lois Gwyneth Olson. The couple was blessed with seven children. They farmed until 1962, when they moved into Sanborn and operated Norton’s Our Own Hardware store. In 1976, they sold the hardware store, and bought the Morning Star Resort in Cass Lake, MN, which they operated together. Lois passed away in 1985. In 1988, Vern met and married Doris Clyde. They resided in La Porte, MN until 2004, when Vern returned to Sanborn. Vern loved the outdoors and hard work, and had a passion for golf, dancing, and playing cards. He enjoyed spending his free afternoons either golfing or sitting around the table playing cards with his children and grandchildren. He was a 50-year Mason, and was a member of the Sanborn Onyx Lodge. He had also been a member of the La Porte Lion’s Club. Vern passed away at the Sanford Senior Care Center in Sheldon on September 29, 2007 at the age of 79. He is survived by his children: Barbara Mohn of Philadelphia, PA, Edwin Norton of Sioux Falls, SD, Richard (Ann) Norton of Solway, MN, Nancy (Murray) Martens, Debra (Lon) Holz and Warren Norton, all of Sheldon, IA, and Robert Norton of San Diego, CA; 16 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, five sisters-in-law; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Lois, a granddaughter Jessica Martens, brothers Donald, Earl, and David Norton, and sister Ruth (Norton) Hidore. In Remembrance of Vern E. Norton Born ~ June 30, 1928 Died ~ September 29, 2007 Age ~ 79 years 2 months 29 days Funeral Service 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 3, 2007 First Presbyterian Church, Sanborn, IA Officiating ~ Rev. Gregg Johnson Organist ~ Chris Van Meeteren Congregational Singing Processional ~ “How Great Thou Art” “Amazing Grace” “In the Garden” Recessional ~ CD –“Cab Driver” “Sentimental Journey” Pallbearers Ryan Holz Jacob Holz Norman Holz Justin Martens Alex Norton Allen Mohn Honorary Pallbearers Olivia Norton Jessica Martens Kristin Dianno Elizabeth Vogt Karen DiPace Laurie Pfisterer Jaci Martens Angie Gobar Rachael Holz Arica Moe Ushers Jim Norton Greg Vogelaar Interment Roseland Cemetery, Sanborn