Norman H. Holtorf

Norman H. "Norm" Holtorf, age 96 of Apple Valley and formerly of Hastings, died peacefully at Trinity Care Center in Farmington on Friday afternoon, February 25, 2022. Norman Henry Holtorf was born at home on May 29, 1925 to John and Jennie (Kleen) Holtorf in rural Pomeroy, IA; he was the eldest of seven children. Norm was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s American Lutheran Church, Pomeroy. He was active in church life, attending Sunday School, singing in the choir, and participating in Luther League at his home church in Pomeroy, and later at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Titonka. Norm attended Butler Township #3 country school in Calhoun County, IA. He was a good student, particularly excelling in spelling and placed 5th in the county wide spelling bee as an 8th grader. He was a student at Pomeroy High School until he moved with his family during his senior year to rural Woden, IA, where he graduated from Woden H.S. in 1942. Norm’s interest in aviation began in earnest when his dad offered to pay $100 towards flight lessons. While helping his dad farm, he took flying lessons, and in 1949 bought his own plane for $900 with money earned by picking up and selling bushels of corn that had fallen on the ground. With his own plane and certification as a licensed instructor, he was all set to start his career teaching others to fly. At the same time, Norm started paying more attention to Lenora “Lennie” Schmidt, an acquaintance from church and the younger sister of a classmate. She was also the teacher at a country school and he regularly flew over her school at the end of the day to wave his wings to say hi. They continued dating when he was drafted into the Army that summer, and at Thanksgiving time they were engaged. Norm and Lenora were married March 30, 1951, before he was deployed to Korea. Following his Honorable Discharge from the Army, Norm, Lenora, and their baby daughter, Patricia Ann, first lived with his wife’s parents and then in a tenant house on his parent's farm near Woden, where son David Leon was born. Two years later, Norm and his family moved to Farnhamville where he farmed, managed the Webster City airport and also gave flying lessons. Norm’s aviation career brought a move to So. St. Paul, MN, in 1957, when he became a flight instructor at Fleming Field. During the time in So. St. Paul, daughter Pamela Sue was born, and in 1959, Norm started his nearly 30 year career with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), first as an air traffic controller and then as an instructor prior to retiring in 1991. His natural “teacher” instincts helped many of his students excel in the field, and he was proud of their success. He was also very proud of the fact that three of his own children, and now, one grandchild, followed in his footsteps to become controllers as well. Norm and Lenora moved to a small hobby farm outside Hastings in 1962. It was there that their daughters Jennifer Marie and Kathryn JoAnn were born, and the farm became the family’s home for nearly 60 years. Always a farm boy at heart, Norm enjoyed doing farm work even after working an eight hour shift as an air traffic controller. The family made good use of the 20 acres and outbuildings with a big garden, pick-your-own strawberry patch and a farrowing/feeder pig operation. Norm’s garden was his happy place - from poring through the garden seed catalogs in the late winter, to tilling the soil, planting the seeds, and watering and weeding, to harvesting the produce and then freezing, canning and drying the food to keep or give away – he loved watching the garden grow, and he generously shared the bounty with others. Fondly known as Stormin' Norman by many, he enjoyed fishing “up north” with the guys in his family as well as trips to airshows in the Midwest. Family vacations were great adventures: camping trips to the west coast and various national parks, visiting family and friends, and road trips exploring other parts of the country. As empty nesters, Norm and Lenora continued traveling together, spending winters in Arizona for 20+ years, enjoying a trip to Hawaii, going on an Alaskan cruise, traveling to Germany to visit friends and the birthplace of his Opa and Oma Kleen, and a bus tour to Washington DC for the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War commemoration. After retiring from the FAA and his farrowing/feeder pig operation, Norm had time to hone his woodworking skills and created lovely benches, bookshelves, tables, beds, desks, trays, wall shelves, and chairs that are treasured items in family members’ homes. Norm’s family and faith were the cornerstones of his life. Providing for and taking care of his family was his priority, and his faith in God guided and sustained him throughout his 96 years. He was preceded in death by his parents: John and Jennie Holtorf; wife of 70 years, Lenora (Schmidt) Holtorf on February 2, 2022; siblings, LuElla (Holtorf) Pannkuk, Robert Holtorf, and Alvin Holtorf; and by his grandson, Benjamin Beran. Norm is survived by his siblings, LaVern Holtorf (Jane), Ankeny, IA, Mary Weiland, Nevada, IA, and Lori Kapler (Jim), Des Moines, IA; children, Pat Branstad (Jim), St. James, MN, David Holtorf (Tammy), Cannon Falls, MN, Pam Bauers (Steve), Lakeville, MN, Jenni Beran (George), Apple Valley, MN, and Kathy Kocher (Rob), Savage, MN; grandchildren, John Branstad (Shannon), Anne Branstad (Dann Roberts), Jeff Branstad (Patria Lawton), Renee Cook (Jim), Michael Holtorf, Tony Amerman (Lou Clifton), Torie Amerman (Brock Perry), Abby Beran (Mike Johnston), Joey Beran (Sarah), Jack Beran, Danny Kocher (Kristy), Tommy Kocher, and Andy Kocher; great grandchildren, Alaina Branstad, Kieran Branstad, Miles Branstad, Charlie Cook, Logan Cook, and Greyson Cook; and by several cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of Norman and his love of aviation can be made out to EAA Aviation Foundation, P. O. Box 3816, Oshkosh, WI 54903. Specifically, the Young Eagles program which helps introduce youth to the world of Aviation. In the notes or memo section, please write, Young Eagles – Norman Holtorf. Or memorials can be made to St. Philip’s Lutheran Church, designated for the Prayer Garden, in honor of Norman Holtorf. Memorial services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 5, 2022, at St. Philips Lutheran Church in Hastings, with Pastor Gregory Geier officiating. Private family interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery will be held at a later date. Family and friends are cordially invited to a visitation for one hour prior to the service, and to a reception immediately following the service, all at church on Saturday. A livestream link of the service will be available here soon. Arrangements are being completed by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings.