Norman Adams

Norman Adams had two great loves in his life, horses and kids and it was difficult to tell which was his greater love. Whether roughhousing with the grandkids and great grandkids on the living room floor, playing street ball with boys in the neighborhood, teaching youngsters to ride a horse or throw a lariat rope or groom a dairy calf for the county fair, Norman could often be found among the kids. They seem to be drawn to him and he truly had a fondness for them.He had an equal passion for horses. Start any conversation with Norman and sooner or later it would get around to horses. At an early age he rode in cattle roundups on the plains. He rode bucking broncs at a local rodeo. He broke horses to ride for countless acquaintances and taught all his kids and many others how to ride. He rode horses in parades and saddle club shows. He bought, sold and traded them. And did he ever have the stories to tell. The community was saddened by the passing of long time Verndale resident, Norman Adams on Saturday, Mar. 7, 2009. He was 92. In recent years he resided in Wadena and St. Cloud. Norman Henry Adams was born on September 13, 1916, in Edmond, Kansas to William “Bill” and Nelly Adams. At the age of one month Norman and his mother traveled by train to join the rest of the family at their homestead in Cadoa, Bent County, Colorado. He started school in a one room prairie school and at an early age helped with cattle roundups and branding. In 1925, under the scourge of a severe drought, with little food and being short of money, his family, like the others, pulled up stakes and moved back to Kansas. He graduated from high school at Monument, Kansas in 1935 and attended electrician’s school in Chicago for a year. On September 23, 1936, he married Elfreda Gladys Nielsen from nearby Page City, Kansas, a marriage that was to last for over 60 years, until Elfreda’s death in 1996. Norman was a wheat farmer in Western Kansas in partnership with his father-in-law, Hans Nielsen, when in1945 they both moved their families to the Verndale area where each bought a dairy farm. Norman was an excellent Grade A dairyman. Through the Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA), of which he was a member, he built an outstanding herd of Jersey dairy cattle. In 1975, after over 30 years of milking cows, he sold his herd and retired from dairying. Two years later, he went to work for the U of M Opportunity Farming Program. Administered through the Ag Extension Office, Norman helped mostly young Wadena County dairy farmers with management problems, finances, dairy rations and much more. He thoroughly loved it and was totally devoted to this work. He retired in 1985 after 10 years. On March 21, 1998, he was married to Virginia Sorgert whose companionship, care and devotion he often spoke of and for which he was truly thankful. Norman was active in a host of community and civic affairs. He was most proud of the River Trail Riders Saddle club, the oldest riding club in the county. He was a charter member and remained active for over 58 years. He was also actively involved in Quarterhorse shows for many years. He served on the Wadena County Fair Board for 24 years from 1961 to 1985 and received a plaque in recognition of his long time service. He worked with the Soil and Water Conservation District from 1990-1993 in the Alfalfa Hay Program. He served on the Verndale School Board for over 16 years and the Aldridge Township Board for 20 years as well as on the Verndale Cemetery Board. In addition, he also served on the Draft Board and the Election Board. He was an adult leader of the Oakdale 4-H Club for many years. He was a long time member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Verndale and upon its closing, joined the Verndale Methodist Church. Norman and Elfreda were named Wadena County’s Outstanding Senior Citizens in 1995, and proudly represented the County in local celebrations and at the Minnesota State Fair.Norman & Elfreda raised five children. Larry (Jo) Atlanta, GA; Norman Dean (Jane) deceased; Roberta Karger (Don) Lexington, OH; Sandie Cox (Steve) Montrose, CO and Richard, Brainerd, MN. Upon marriage to Virginia, his family expanded to include Virginia’s family of Virginia Sharr (Ken), Montana; Edward (Kathryn) Cambridge, MN; Paul (Debbie), Annandale, MN; David (Rita), Lino Lakes, MN; John (Brenda), Cambridge, MN and Debbie Deering (Dan), Sauk Rapids, MN. At his death he had 36 grandchildren, 34 great grand children and 3 great great grandchildren, including those of his extended family. In addition to four remaining children, he is survived by his wife, Virginia; a brother, Wayne, Arvada, CO; and three sisters, Orpha Price, Thelma Guay and Jean Esley all of Topeka, KS and many other family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elfreda; a son, Dean; a great-granddaughter, Samantha; a sister, Leona Loviska and a brother, Orval Perry. Funeral services were held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, March 12, 2009 at the United Methodist Church in Verndale, with Pastor Jill Palowski officiating. Honorary pallbearers were the grandchildren. Casket bearers were: Bryon Karger, James Westergren, Damen Adams, Rhonda Adams, Robin Dillon, Derrick Deering, Tyler Sorgert, and Nathan Sorgert. Interment was in the Verndale cemetery. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be made to the Verndale Methodist Church.

Norman Adams

September 13, 1916 - March 7, 2009