Obituary - Norman Gorder

Norman Albert Gorder of Havre passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2015.

Norman was born June 18, 1919, in Starbuck, Minnesota, to Arnold and Esther (Christiansen) Gorder. He graduated from Starbuck High School in 1938.

At age 19, he left the farm in Starbuck and moved to Montana to live with his Aunt Clara and cousin Harold. He attended college at Northern Montana College but left to begin work at Bear Paw Motors and later at Heltne's Service Center in Havre.

In 1942 he entered the military service as an U.S. Army medic assigned to the Amry Air Corps. He remembers working 37 months straight before getting a furlough. He was honorably discharged in 1945.

He met Margaret Cross, whom he married on June 1, 1947. The couple made their home in Havre raising six kids and being actively involved in the community.

Norm, as he was known, was truly community-minded throughout his life. He felt, "If you don't participate, life enrichment doesn't happen." He worked at Heltne's for 49 years, and while there he often aided motorists in distress day and night - rain or shine, 100 degrees above or 30-below. Norm's kids would testify as they patiently waited in the car, he never left town or returned without stopping at the station to check on things.

He shared the same commitment to many of Havre's volunteer organizations. He was the oldest living charter member of Havre Lions Club, reformed in December 1952, serving as director, president and program chairman for 14 years along with being a lifetime member of Lions International. As an active member of First Lutheran Church, he took on many board positions along with ushering, counting collections and attending every Sunday service unless he was out of town.

Norm served on the hospital board as well as volunteering at the hospital, served on the Montana State University-Northern Foundation board and fund-raising committee, worked tirelessly on the United Way board for 15 years, volunteered 21 years at the Chamber of Commerce earning the North Star Award, was a veterans honor guard member along with being active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Elks Club, Disabled Veterans, the Salvation Army, SCORE, Toastmaster International (12 years) and the Havre Food Bank, to name a few.

As an avid bridge player and certified director of the American Contract Bridge League, Norm was a Sanctioned Bridge Club director for 25 years and taught American contract bridge for 20 years. All of Norm's work earned him the honor of having Sept. 16 named "Norm Gorder Day" by Havre Mayor Bob Rice in 2008, 70 years plus a day to the day he arrived in Havre.

Norm loved his wife, family, church and community above all else. He loved early mornings, watching the pew at church fill up with family and later many pews as his family had kids of their own. Norm spent hours tending to his yard and garden enjoying watching flowers and trees transplanted from the farm in Minnesota grow under his care. Every summer and fall, family and friends reveled in eating the fruits of Norm's garden.

The family fondly remembers trips to the farm in Minnesota, loading up the car at 4 a.m., and finally hugging Grandma and Grandpa Gorder at dinner on the same day, Sunday trips to Rudyard and Sunburst, and picnics in the Bear Paws (as remembered by many).

Norm was preceded in death by his parents, Esther and Arnold Gorder; wife, Margie;  grandson Bart Nolan; brothers Milo and Lloyd Gorder and sister, Jean Maanum. 

He is survived by his daughters Wanda (Robert) Brock of Marathon, Florida; Julee (John) Christian of Havre; Norma (Jim) MacKenzie of Whitefish; Shelley (Mike) Nolan of Havre; son, Chris (Kathy) Gorder of Billings, and daughter Cindy (Randy) Bebee of Whitefish; his 16 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren; his brother Arnold Gorder of Starbuck, Minnesota, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Visitation will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 30, 2015, at Holland & Bonine Funeral Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015, at First Lutheran Church with Pastor Tanner Howard officiating. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery.

The family has requested that memorials be made in Norman's name to First Lutheran Church, the Montana State University-Northern Scholarship Fund or the charity of your choice.

Holland & Bonine has been entrusted with services and arrangements, and you can leave your memories and condolences for the family at http://wwwhollandbonine.com.