David Leslie Norgaard died peacefully at home on April 14, 2024, in Hastings, Minnesota. He was 90 years old.
David (Dave), son of Norwegian immigrants Endre and Tone (Tina) Norgaard, was born August 13th, 1933, in Clarkfield, Minnesota. The last child of six children. He was baptized and confirmed at the Hazel Run Lutheran Church. He attended Clarkfield High School where he graduated in 1951. He attended the University of Minnesota for a year until his brother, Mike, was drafted into the services. He then returned to the farm in Hazel Run to farm it.
In April of 1953, Dave was drafted into the US Army, until April of 1955. In June of 1955 he married Donna Amdahl. They resided in Brookings, SD while Dave attended South Dakota State. A son, Mike, was born to the couple. Dave graduated in 1958 with a B.S. Degree in education. In 1958 they moved to Hastings, MN when he accepted a position with the Equitable Life Insurance Society of US. In 1959 he was transferred to Red Wing with the Equitable. Then, a daughter, Deb, was born. Donna passed away on August 17th, 1960. Dave continued to live and work in Red Wing with mother, Tina, and sister, Lois, helping with the two children. In the fall of 1962, he met a schoolteacher named Mary Lou Kluver and on June 23, 1963, they were married. The couple moved to Hastings, MN as Dave was promoted to District Manager with the Equitable in St. Paul. In the spring of 1964 Mary Lou legally adopted Deb and Mike. Then another daughter, Robin, was born, making them a family of 5 in 11 months.
Dave was in the insurance business for 52 years. He was involved in other businesses such as co-owner of the Oldsmobile-Dodge Dealership, he purchased the Hastings Motor Vehicle Registration (license office), and he built and owned Crossroad Express Lube. He was also a partner in Norgaard-Becker Properties.
He was a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church since 1958 and served on the church counsel for a number of terms. Dave was a craftsman and enjoyed building furniture for members of his family such as bedroom sets, dining room sets, TV trays, etc. In 1965 they moved into their new home on Louis Lane and resided there until 1996 when they purchased a townhome on Carleton Drive. In 1967 he purchased a lake home on Deer Lake, in Spooner WI. Over the years Dave and Mary Lou enjoyed memories of times with family and friends, who were always welcome. He enjoyed skating, ice fishing, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, cocktail rides on the pontoon boat at 5:00 with friends, teaching kids and grandchildren how to water ski; the list goes on and on.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lou; his parents, Tina & Endre Norgaard; his first wife, Donna; his brothers Olaf, Fredrick, and Malcolm; his sisters Gudrun Nelson and Lois Moen; his sisters in law Clarice Norgaard and Anna Norgaard; and brother-in-law John Nelson.
Dave is survived by his son Mike (Cathy); daughters, Deb Stern and Robin (Roger) Maupin; his Grandchildren Tony (Ann) Norgaard, Tracy Precious; Tara (Mark) Weber, Tessa (Brandon) Anderson, Keira and Kristi Maupin; Great-Grandchildren Jenna & Maya Norgaard, Isabel & Hanah Precious, Blake, Cody, & Sawyer Weber, Mikah & Laken Anderson; Sister-in-law Joan Norgaard; as well as several nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends.
A Celebration of Dave’s Life will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, April 18, 2024, at Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings, with Pastor Lloyd Menke officiating.
Family and friends are cordially invited to a visitation for one hour prior to the service, and to a reception immediately following the service, all at the funeral home on Thursday.
In lieu of flowers, Dave’s family requests memorials be made to Hastings Family Service in his memory.
For guestbook and further information, please visit www.hastingsmnfuneral.com
Arrangements are being completed by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings.
