Norm Grabenstein

O n June 26, 2022, Norman Grabenstein of North Platte, Nebraska, passed away at Linden Court, just shy of his 89th birthday, due to Covid-19 complications.

Norman, the son of Lorenz and Floretta Wagner Grabenstein, was born in the family farmhouse at Eustis on July 8, 1933. When he was 8 years old the family moved to North Platte and settled on a farm southeast of town. Norm attended East Osgood country school then North Platte High School. He was a member of the 1950 and '51 varsity football teams and graduated with the Class of 1952.

In 1956 Norm was drafted into the U.S. Army and stationed with the 4th Division at Fort Lewis, WA, where he served as an artillery surveyor and forward observer. In 1957, while in the service, Norman married Mary Sue Taylor in Hastings. They lived on base at Fort Lewis then returned to North Platte in 1958 following his discharge and settled on the family farm where Norm farmed with his dad.

In 1984 the Grabensteins made some big changes. Norm accepted the position of district sales manager at Golden Harvest Seed Company for West Central Nebraska and they moved to a home at Lake Maloney. They enjoyed living at the lake and Norm loved fishing. He earned several Master Angler Awards and held a state record fish award.

After retiring from Golden Harvest in July of 1998, Norm became a regular at the Arby's morning coffee group where they solved many problems of the world.

Norm and Mary Sue were blessed with two children, four grandsons, four great-grandchildren, and 65 years of marriage. They enjoyed traveling so once they were both retired, they traveled to Europe in 2000, visiting Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy. They even celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on an Alaskan Cruise with their family.

Norm and Mary Sue were avid Husker football fans and longtime members of First Lutheran Church where he sang in the cathedral choir for over 30 years and served on the church council. Norm was a member of P.R. Halligan Post #163 American Legion, West Central Pork Producers, a life member of PTA, was active in 4-H as a leader and on the council, and he helped with Boy Scout activities. Norm had a soft spot in his heart for children and enjoyed playing Santa Claus for various schools, families and organizations. He always had a way of making people smile!

Norm was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He loved his grandsons and was always proud of their achievements. Norm was greatly loved and will be dearly missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lorenz and Floretta; and his brother and sister-in-law, Gerald and Harriet.

Norm leaves behind his beloved wife, Mary Sue; daughter, Nancy (Michael) Munson, their sons, Adam (Heather) Munson and Blake (Molly) Munson, and their grandchildren, Olivia, Ethan, Amailey and Isla Munson, all of Columbus; his son, John Grabenstein (friend, Jim Peterson) of Cozad and John's children, Justin (Jaysie) Grabenstein and Taylor Grabenstein of Greeley, CO; as well as other family and his friends.

Celebration of Life will be 11 a.m. Friday, July 8, 2022, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church with Pastor Sipes officiating. Family will have a private inurnment with military honors in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. The memorial book may be signed online at odeanchapel.com, prior to services at the church, or at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the church or Callahan Cancer Center.