Norman A. Harrison

He was born Jan. 29, 1924, in Omro, Wis, son of the late Clarence and Ida (Ternes) Harrison. Norman attended grade school in Fence and graduated from Goodman High School in 1942. He married Grace Hansen on Sept. 10, 1949, at Bethlehem Covenant Church in Stephenson.

Norman worked as a dairy farmer until 1965, attended Michigan Tech in Houghton majoring in civil engineering from 1965 until 1966, moved the family to Oregon where he began to work at Bridwell Engineering Company of Madison as a land surveyor in 1966, and he earned his State of Wisconsin Land Surveyors License in 1977.

It was in that occupation that he spent most of his career until he retired from surveying in 2012. He was a member of the Fence Bible Church and was a local historian, working with the Florence Historical Society to compile and validate historical facts in Fence and the surrounding area. Above all, Norman loved his wife of 71 years, Grace, and their seven sons, daughters-in-law, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He enjoyed the simple things of this life, good food and family gatherings. He was always available to help us in our projects, passing on skills that I’m sure were passed on to him by his father: building, farming, making maple syrup, working in general, and not just working but working with a smile. He will be sadly missed by family and friends.

Norman is survived by his wife, Grace; sons, Randy (Marge) of Fence, Terry of Kingsford, Sam of Pardeeville, Wis., Tom (Lori) of Fence, James (Janet) of Fence, Scott of Iron Mountain and Todd of Fence; a sister, Irene Radtke; sister-in-law, Gladys Harrison; 19 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Harrison, and a sister, Flora Hack.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon on May 1 at the Fence Bible Church. Funeral services will follow at noon at the church. Pastor Tim Smith will officiate.

Burial will be in the Fence Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established in his memory.

“Thou shall know also that thy seed shall be great, and thy offspring as the grass of the earth. Thou shall come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in his season.” Job 5:25-26

Condolences may be expressed to the family of Norman Harrison online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.