NORMAN ALFRED PETERSEN's Obituary
Norman Alfred “Nummy” Petersen, age 87, died on November 1, 2017 in Oshkosh, WI due to complications from Parkinson’s disease. He loved airplanes, the Minnesota Vikings, accordions and polka music, joke telling, his Danish Heritage, banana splits and of course the love of his family. Norman was born on July 20, 1930 in Askov, Minnesota, the second child of Harald A. and Agneta (Nielsen) Petersen. At the age of two, his family moved to Tyler, Minnesota where his father was a beloved teacher, principal and Superintendent of Schools. He graduated from Tyler High School in 1948. He earned his Associate’s Degree at Grand View College in Des Moines, Iowa followed by his Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Minnesota, majoring in mathematics and community recreation. Norman proudly served his country in the United States Army, stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and Fort McHenry, Maryland.
On March 7, 1953, he married Anna Marie Witzel at Luther Memorial Church in Des Moines, Iowa. Norman worked for Investors Diversified Services (IDS) for 14 years in St. James, Minnesota. In 1968 Norman and Anna Marie purchased St. James Printing and Office Supply, where he worked as proprietor and printer until Anna Maries death on February 12, 1980. Norman was hired in 1980 by the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) as an associate editor of Sport Aviation and Vintage magazines. He sold the printing business and relocated to Hales Corners, WI and eventually Oshkosh, WI. He married Loretta Rennick on August 29, 1981 in St. James, Minnesota. She and her three children joined Norman in Hales Corners and Oshkosh. Norman retired from the EAA at the age of 70. Norman had a passion for for airplanes from the age of 12 after earning rides from a barnstormer at the Lincoln County Fair in Tyler. He earned his private pilots license June 19, 1956 and was proud to be an EAA homebuilder. He completed his first single-seat EAA biplane in 1968 after 5 1/2 years of building time followed by a two-seater Starduster II biplane that required 6 years. He enjoyed doing aerobatics and treating friends and family to surprise loops and rolls. Later projects included a Piper J-3 Cub rebuild outfitted with skis and floats, and the start of an antique 1948 Danish KZ3 rebuild imported from Denmark. He was also a proud member of EAA Chapter 252 in Oshkosh, the Midwest Antique Airplane Club, and the Quiet Birdmen. In St. James, Norman was an active member of First Lutheran Church, neighborhood bridge club, the Lions Club, founding member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, St. James Flying Club and EAA. He was proud to have attended 57 consecutive EAA fly-ins dating back to the early years in Rockford, IL. His enthusiasm and work helped to initiate the opening of a new airport in St. James. He served as Watonwan County Police Commissioner and participated in many public services. In Oshkosh, Norm was a member of Countryside Lutheran Church. He became spokesman for the EAA Seaplane base and wrote numerous articles about float and ski-plane flying. Norman loved to travel to Denmark where he was a member of the International KZ Klubben and attended a number of fly-ins at Stauning, Denmark. Norman’s joys included his love for music, singing bass in choir, playing his accordion and dancing. He called square dances through college, played accordion with the “Polka Pilots” in St. James, and participated in jam sessions at the Winneconne VFW. He loved his annual deer hunting trips to Cloquet Valley State Forrest with son, Norman II and his annual fishing trips to Lake of the Woods in northern Minnesota. He attended many flight breakfasts, taking his children one-at-a time as his special guests. He cheered for the Minnesota Vikings even while living in Packer country. He was an outstanding speaker who always had a joke or a story to tell. He shared his humor and optimism and was loved by all.
Norman is survived by and his memory will be cherished by his wife, Loretta of Oshkosh; children, Teresa Pedersen of Kuwait, Norman (Joanna) Petersen II of Mankato, MN, Nancy Petersen of Woodbury, MN, Janis Weikle of Hector, MN, and Kari Jo (Dwight) Bullard of Oakdale, MN. Step-children include, Lisa (Dan) Morse of Whitehall, MI, Troy (Heidi) Toelle of Twin Lakes, MI and Wynette (Beau) Jero of Axtel, TX. Surviving siblings include, Julia (Jim) Steinmetz of Midland, MI, Paul (Marilyn) Petersen of Minnetonka, MN and Niel (Marlys) Petersen of Minnetonka, MN. Norman had 17 grandchildren, 6 plus great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, other relatives. The last 8 1/2 years of Norman’s life were spent at Evergreen Retirement Community in Oshkosh.
A memorial service celebrating his life will be held on Monday, November 13, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. in the EAA Founders Wing, 3000 Poberezny Road in Oshkosh with the Rev. Ed Riddick officiating. A time of visitation will be held in the Founders Wing from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. There will be a time of story telling and a lunch following the service. Memorials may be made to Grand View College, EAA Young Eagles Program and Danebod Lutheran Church in Tyler, MN.
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