Norris Schjeldahl

NORRIS SCHJELDAHL IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Norris Goodwin “Norrie” Schjeldahl, 92, died April 28, 2006, at the Idaho Falls Good Samaritan Nursing Center. Norris Schjeldahl was born June 23, 1913, at the Fechar farm in Enger Township, Steele County, North Dakota, the fourth of seven children. He grew up and attended schools near Mayville, North Dakota, graduating from Lindaas School in 1926. He then worked on his father’s farm. He married Zora Ellen Shearer December 19, 1937, in Valley City, North Dakota. During the war years, he worked for various war plants in California and Washington. He returned to Grand Forks in 1945, where he worked as a government potato seed inspector, potato buyer for King of Spuds, and later for McKesson Foods. They divorced in 1976. He moved from Grand Forks to Greeley, Colorado, and married Gloria Vitalis in 1977. He retired in June 1978. They divorced in 1989. In 1989, he moved to Idaho Falls. He was a member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church. He has lived at the Idaho Falls Good Samaritan Center since 2000. Survivors include: Mrs. Sandra (Kenneth R.) Starr, Minot, ND; David (Yvonne) Schjeldahl of Idaho Falls, ID; and Dennis (Jane) Schjeldahl, of Grand Forks, ND. He left behind seven grandchildren: Miss Rebecca Starr, Grand Forks, ND; Mrs. Jennifer (Tim) Henze, and Michael (Tara) Schjeldahl of Idaho Falls; Christopher, Eric, and Miss Katherine Schjeldahl of Fargo, ND; and Ryan Schjeldahl of Black River Falls, WI. There are seven great-grandchildren: Dianne, Debbie, and David Henze; Matthew and Carsten Schjeldahl, of Idaho Falls, ID; Audra and Alexandra Schjeldahl of Black Rivers Falls, WI. He is survived by one sister, Myrtle Lovly of Moorhead, MN; three sisters-in-law: Carol Schjeldahl of Blaine, MN; Ruth Shearer, Oakes, ND; Muriel Shearer, Grand Forks, ND; and one brother-in-law, John Gotteberg, Mayville, ND. He leaves many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his two brothers, three of his sisters, and by his first wife. Memorial Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, May 1, 2006 at the Idaho Falls First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 455 West Sunnyside Road, Idaho Falls, under the direction of Wood Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Norris Schjeldahl Funeral Fund, c/o Wood Funeral Home, P. O. Box 51434, Idaho Falls, ID 83405-1434. A Memorial will be held Saturday, May 20, 2006, at Mayville Lutheran Church in Mayville, North Dakota.