Norman E. Stedje, 93
Norman E. Stedje, 93, passed away Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008, at the Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell. He was born near Hettinger, N.D., on April 1, 1915, to Erick and Karen Stedje. He was next to the youngest of eight children.
His parents were farmers. Norman attended a rural school and then the Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis for a short time. In August 1935, Norman and his brother Arnold hopped a freight train and went to Columbus, Mont., to work on a farm. A year later they came to Kalispell. Norman found work with the Equity Supply Co. and worked there for several years.
In 1945, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Okinawa until he received an honorable discharge in 1946.
In 1950, he and his brother bought the Ford and New Holland franchises from Garey Motors. They operated this business, known as Stedje Brothers, for 40 years, acquiring stores in Ronan and Missoula also.
Norman and Ruth Prestbye were married Jan. 10, 1951, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Kalispell. They and their three children moved to Ronan in 1963. While living there, Norman was active in Faith Lutheran Church and in community affairs. He was mayor for the city of Ronan for 14 years. While a member of the Montana League of Cities and Towns, Norman served a term on the state and national League of Cities and Towns.
He belonged to the Lion's organization and served on church boards at the local, district and national levels. Norman sang in church choirs, men's quartets, and with the Flathead Valleyaires.
He helped develop the Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp on Flathead Lake, served on its board, and traveled to promote interest in it and to raise funds for its development.
Norman was also a Gidion for several years, a member of the Service Corps of Retired Executives, a member of the Salvation Army board, and spent a winter in Helena serving on an advisory board for Gov. Stephens. Norman traveled with a group of implement dealers to Russia and several European countries to observe their farming methods. He also visited Mexico and Central America. He retired in 1990.
Norman's wife Ruth died in 1981. On June 21, 1986, he married his widowed sister-in-law, Mirth E. Stedje, at Calvary Lutheran Church and moved back to Kalispell. Norman loved working with flower gardens at home in Ronan and also working around the cabin on Foy's Lake.
His Christian faith has been a great importance and strength his entire life. He moved to Immanuel Lutheran Home in November 2003 because of Alzheimer's disease.
Norman was preceded in death by his parents; five sisters; two brothers; and his first wife, Ruth.
He is now survived by his wife, Mirth Stedje, of Kalispell; one son, Rodney Stedje, and wife, Michal Ann, of Ronan; two daughters, Barbara Chapin and husband, Skip, and Kristine Stedje, all of Minneapolis; one stepson, Douglas Stedje, of Tacoma, Wash.; one stepdaughter, Joy Mahlum and husband, Ed, of Kalispell; four grandchildren, Emily Hoffman and husband, Brandon, of Houghton, N.Y., Melanie Stedje of Philadelphia, Rebecca Chapin of Minneapolis, and Erick Stedje at Montana State University in Bozeman; and stepgrandchildren, Daniel and David Mahlum of Kalispell, and Kimberly Stedje of Tacoma.
Funeral services for Norman will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Evergreen. A reception will be held at the church after the burial at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery, which will include military honors by the United Veterans of the Flathead Valley.
Those who wish may memorialize Norman's life by gifts to Immanuel Lutheran Home, Calvary Lutheran Church or the Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp.
Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Norman's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Norman's guest book.