Norman Mehlhoff, 83, Bismarck, ND formerly of Garrison, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, passed away, surrounded by his loving family on Friday, January 15, 2021. Visitation will be held at the Thompson Funeral Home in Garrison on Friday from 4 to 7. Funeral services will be held Saturday January 23rd at 11:00 am At Bethel Lutheran Church in Bismarck. Viewing will start at 9:30 a.m. at the church. A livestream of the service will be available on the church’s website: bethelbismarck.com. It will also be posted on the Thompson Funeral Home website after the service at www.facebook.com/garrisonthompsonfh/.
Burial will be held at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in rural Mandan, ND.
Norman was born July 2, 1937 to Jacob and Amelia (Bauch) in rural Coleharbor. His family later moved to Garrison where he was raised and educated. He graduated from Garrison High School in 1955. He was very active in the FFA during his high school years. Norman always had a love for music. He was a first chair member of the Garrison High School Band and played baritone for 5 years.
Norman joined the International Union of Operating Engineers Local #49 in 1956. He worked for various road construction companies including Northern Improvement & Bechtold Excavating, Peter Kiewit Sons Co., where he was foreman, blade operator and did finishing work on many road projects.
During that time, he played for and met President Eisenhower during the dedication of the Garrison Dam.
Norman enlisted in the Army National Guard in 1962 and served for 4 years.
Norman and Laura Miller met on a blind date and shortly thereafter they were married on October 19, 1963 in Hazen ND. They lived in Garrison until moving to Bismarck in 2012. During their marriage of 57 years, they raised 3 beautiful daughters. Debbie, Val and Joy.
Norman and Laura bought a farm outside of Garrison. He loved farming and working the land. This was an extension of his meticulous landscaping and an eye for detail at their home in Garrison which everyone admired. His love for the beauty in everything is a quality that we will miss deeply.
Norman retired at the young age of 55.
Norman loved to spend time with his family, especially hanging with the sons-in-law! He was always thinking about how things could work better and if things were “square” was a term he used a lot. He was always interested in “what do ‘ya know?” and continued to educate us with stories of the past. He was a one and done kind of guy. If he saw it once, he didn’t need to go see it again or do it again!
In his early years Norman like to golf, bowl and was a great pool player. He also loved the Christmas season. Holiday music filled the house, and the family tree and lights were decorated to perfection!
He was a member of the Hugh P. Minehan American Legion Post #49 of Garrison and was a member and elder of Peace Lutheran Church in Garrison where he taught Sunday school for several years. Currently a member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Bismarck.
Norman passed away from a short battle of PCNS Lymphoma and an almost year-long battle of Trigeminal Neuralgia.
Norman is survived by his wife of 57 years Laura, Bismarck; 3 daughters, Debbie (Jon) Hansen of Ryder; Val (Brandt) Bailey, Bismarck; Joy (Troy) Fast, Bismarck; 5 grandchildren, Erica (Christopher) Brewer, Velva; Bridget Klosterman, Moorhead MN; Karley (Allen) Porter, Makoti; MiKayla and Madisyn Fast, Bismarck; great-grandchildren, Tristan Brewer, Hope Brewer, Ayden Klosterman, and Kealey Klosterman; sisters-in-law, Eleanor Mehlhoff, Garrison, and Arlene Mehlhoff, Minot.
He was preceded in death by parents Jacob and Amelia, brothers Edmund, Reuben, Roy (Darlene), Arnold (Adeline), Aleck (Esther), Curtis (Lois & Bonnie) Sisters: Alma (Sam) Eslinger, Rena (Willie) Weishaar and infant sister Katherine.
Norman was the last surviving family member of 12 and now is reunited with them in Heaven.
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