Carl A. Norrbom, 82, formerly of Elderon, died Wednesday, May 18, 2016 at Rennes Health and Rehab Center, Weston, under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.
He was born on March 29, 1934, in the town of Elderon, to Gust and Cora (Lunde) Norrbom. He married the love of his life, June Benz, on July 23, 1960.
Carl spent most of his life on the farm where he was born, deciding to become a farmer while in high school under the mentorship of Floyd Doering. After attending the farm shortcourse program at UW Madison, Carl partnered in the farming operation for a time with his brother, David. In 1960, they received a national award from Agricultural Soil Conservation Services.
In time, Carl and June built a herd of registered Holstein cattle and saw the farm expand its operations several times. He was very active in the Marathon County Holstein Breeders Association for many years, serving as President and Board Member. He also served as chairman for the State Holstein Convention.
Carl had a life-long passion for singing, starting as ‘the little boy in the choir’ at age 6. He sang in quartets in high school and at UW. One of the highlights of his life was participating in the Chicago Music Festival, held in 1955 at Soldier Field. He was one of 10,000 participants singing Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus. After he retired, he enjoyed singing in the choir at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Wittenberg, where he was a lifelong member.
An avid Green Bay Packer fan, he occasionally had the opportunity to attend games at Lambeau Field, including the infamous Ice Bowl against the Dallas Cowboys in 1967.
Carl and June travelled throughout the United States, taking the family on annual vacations. They also traveled to Europe, including a trip to Norway where they visited with Carl’s cousins.
He is survived by his wife, June Norrbom, Weston; five children: Mary (John) Schwartz, Mount Horeb; Paul (Kim) Norrbom, Wittenberg; Barbara (John Clarke) Norrbom, Louisville, CO; Peter (Michele) Norrbom, Wausau and Neil (Rhonda) Norrbom, Wittenberg; eight grandchildren: Britney (Nicholas), Katelyn, Paige, Emily, Cora, Ella, Valerie and Emma and one great-grandson: Orion. He is also survived by his brothers, David (Kay) Norrbom of Eland and Lyle (Leone) Norrbom of Cape May, NJ; brothers-in-law: John (Peggy) Breske, Elderon, John Laude, Manitowoc and Carleton (Jean) Benz, Shawano and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Carl was preceded in death by one son, Loren and sisters, Arla Breske and Esther Laude.
The Funeral Service will be held at 11am on Monday, May 23, 2016 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Wittenberg. Rev. Amy Meyer will officiate. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday from 4pm until 8pm at Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Wittenberg and on Monday from 10am until the time of services at the church. Memories and condolences may be shared at schmidtschulta.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Redeemer Lutheran Church, Wittenberg in memory of Carl.
The family wishes to thank Pastor Amy and the staff at Rennes Health and Rehab, the Renaissance Assisted Living and Aspirus Hospital Palliative Care unit for all their loving care.