Norman H. Bohr

Tuesday, May 15, 2018 7:08 pm

Norman H. Bohr, 80, of Decorah, died Tuesday, May 8, 2018, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minn., surrounded by his family. Mass of Christian Burial was at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 15, at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah, with Rev. Phillip Gibbs officiating. Organist was Mary Beth Bouska. Cantor was Cindy Schissel. Hymns were “Be Not Afraid,” “I Have Loved You,” “On Eagles Wings,” “Goin Home” and “How Great Thou Art.” Lectors were Jackie Hartman and April Larson. Offertory gift bearers were Taylor Roberts, Mackenzie Roberts and Casey Powers. Eucharistic ministers were Julie Ernst, Mark Ernst and Jeanne Lechtenberg. Pall bearers were Andrew Ernst, Ryan Ernst, Austin Bohr, Michael Wagner, Steve Wagner, Tim Bohr and Craig Bohr. Honorary pall bearers were Taylor Roberts, Mackenzie Roberts and Casey Powers. Interment was at St. Benedict Catholic Cemetery, Decorah. Arrangements were handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Decorah.

Norman Herman Bohr was born March 16, 1938, the son of Clem and Mary (Hageman) Bohr in Winneshiek County. He graduated from St. Francis de Sales High School in 1956. After high school, Norman worked in Chicago for a brief time and then enlisted in the United States Army, where he served in Alaska. Upon his return, he worked on the family farm, worked for Reilly Construction, and pumped gas at Chuck’s Filling Station until he found his career at Interstate Power Company. Norman retired from Interstate Power Company as the operations manager at the Decorah office in 1998.

Norman married Sandra “Sandy” Wagner Sept. 14, 1963, at St. Clements Catholic Church in Hammond, Minn. Together they had three children: Brenda, Julie and Chris.

Norman enjoyed spending time with friends and family, especially his grandchildren. Being from the farm, Norman was proud of his 1944 SC Case tractor and loved showing it off while participating in many of the tractorcades in which he rode. He was a member of the Rivers and Bluffs Classic Tractor Club. In the summer, you could find Norman fishing in Canada or golfing on the Silvercrest Golf Course, where he had been a member since 1974. If the weather was nice, you might also find him sitting on a tractor helping his nephews on their family farm. In the winter, Norman spent time in Arizona with his wife, Sandy. He enjoyed golfing, “happy hour” with his friends, and occasionally, you could talk him into going sight-seeing. Norman had many proud moments in his life. He followed his grandchildren’s many activities and their successes. He enjoyed restoring his dad’s Case tractor with his son, Chris, and his grandson, Austin. Most especially, he enjoyed researching and publishing the “Descendants of Anton Bohr Ancestry Book” which included seven generations of his family history. Norman was a charter member of the Knights of Columbus.

Norman is survived by his wife, Sandy, of Decorah: children: Brenda (Robin) Roberts, Cedar Falls; Julie (Mark) Ernst, Dubuque; and Chris (Kim) Bohr, Decorah; grandchildren: Taylor and Mackenzie Roberts, Andrew and Ryan (fiancé, Casey Powers) Ernst and Austin Bohr; siblings: Mel (friend, Kathy Meyer) Bohr, Ossian; Mary Jane (Richard) Einck, Cedar Rapids and Karen (Jerry) Giddings, Grayslake, Ill.; sisters-in-law, Marge (Jack) Warthesen, Plainview, Minn. and Kay Wagner, Rochester, Minn.; brothers-in-law: Marty (Carol) Wagner, Elgin, Minn.; Bill (Mary) Wagner, Rochester, Minn.; and Dennis (Kim) Mullarkey, Cedar Rapids; along with many nieces and nephews.

Norman was preceded in death by his parents:, Clem and Mary (Hageman) Bohr; sister, Mildred Bohr; sister-in-law, Jeanne Bohr; father and mother-in-law, Andrew and Violet (Martin) Wagner; brothers-in-law, David and Jim Wagner; sister-in-law, Barb Mullarkey.