TORRINGTON – Norm Vogel, 74, passed away suddenly April 23, 2017 in the great outdoors. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, April 28, 2017, at All Saints Episcopal Church in Torrington with the Rev. Brian Gross officiating. A private family burial will take place at a later date. Cremation has taken place.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gracie’s Promise or the Western
History Center.
Norman Ralph Vogel was born in Mt. Etna, Iowa Aug. 25, 1942, to Ralph “Pete” and Jean (Cochran) Vogel. He spent his youth in Melbeta, Neb., graduating in 1960. While in high school, Norm excelled at all sports, especially basketball where he still holds the record for most points in a game, 37 points in 1960, (before the time of three pointers).
He married Helen Conn on April 7, 1962. They raised their three girls, Tammy, Paula and Dede in Gering, Neb. He loved, as a daughter, Susan Waite, who came in 1982 from Australia as part of an exchange student program. Norm volunteered as a fireman for Gering, helped organize the 23 Club baseball league, coached girl’s softball, and was the Union President for Great Western Sugar. He was a member of the Gering Jaycees and he is still a current member of the Eagles.
Norm worked his entire life in the sugar beet industry, most of that time, for Great Western Sugar. He retired in 1995 from Pioneer Sugar in Sebewaing, Mich. While living in Michigan, he enjoyed fishing on Lake Huron, naming his boat “Mallory Dawn” after his first grandchild.
Norm and Helen moved to Torrington when Norm retired at age 55. He spent hundreds of hours walking lake beds and wheat strips looking for artifacts, and hundreds of miles driving to attend his grandchildren’s many activities. Norm was currently involved with Rex Young Rock Club, Western History Center, Gracie’s Promise and All Saints Episcopal Church. Norm was an avid outdoorsman, passing his love of camping, fishing, and hunting onto his kids and grandkids. He also was known for beating us all at cribbage, and horse.
He had a special relationship with his grandkids. All would call to ask Grandpa for words of wisdom or just to shoot the breeze. He took great pride in all of their accomplishments.
Norm never knew a stranger. He welcomed people into conversation easily. His inclusive, loving, and casual ways made him an inspiration to all who knew him. He always had a special place in his heart for a furry companion and Sioux is still watching the back door waiting for him to come home.
Norm is survived by his wife of 55 years, Helen, daughters, Tammy (Don) Zimmerer, Paula (Gene) McDowell, Dede (Chris) Anglin and Susan (Rowan) Thompson. Grandchildren, Mallory (Jay Bond), Mackenzee, and Zac Zimmerer. Joe and Connor McDowell. Stephen (Chrissy), Mattie, and Chance Anglin. Campbell, Jane and Kate Thompson. Great grandchildren Marley and Cash Anglin. Brother Ron (Barb) Vogel. Brother-in-law Doyt (Gracia) Conn. Sister-in-law Linda (Bob) Carmody. Many aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Pete and Jean Vogel, brothers, Steven and Marion, sister, Janice, his grandparents Maude and Scott Vogel, Cora and Forrest Cochran and his in-laws, Farrell and Frieda Conn.
