Norman Krizl
1961 - 2026
Norman Krizl
1961 - 2026
Obituary
Guest Book
Norman Krizl Obituary
Norman Krizl, age 64, passed away suddenly on January 6 after a brief illness at UCSF hospital in San Francisco with his beloved wife at his side. He is survived by his loving wife Kathy, sisters Maria (Paul) Grimm and Irene Carruthers, brother-in-law Chris (Anne) Kerri, and numerous nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. He loved them so much, and was greatly loved in return.
Norman was born on February 13, 1961, in San Francisco, and moved to Sacramento in 1965. He graduated from Sacramento High School in 1979, and received BS in Forestry from UC Berkeley in 1985. He married his high school sweetheart Kathy in 1986, and they returned to Sacramento.
Norman and Kathy moved to Garden Valley in 1992 after Norman got a job with the US Forest Service in Georgetown. He worked as a forester until 2003 when he started working full time tending the vines in Krizl Vineyard.
Norman served as president of the El Dorado County Farm Bureau and the Georgetown Divide Rotary Club. He was elected to the GDPUD Board of Directions, and was president of the EDC Ag Water Quality Coalition at the time of his death.
Norman loved taking care of the vineyard, cutting firewood, working at 'the cabin,' hosting bonfires with lots of barbequing and smoking meat. Norman loved travelling and spending time with friends and family. He touched so many lives, and will be greatly missed by all who were privileged to have known him.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 31 at 1:00 pm at the Georgetown IOOF Hall, 6240 Main Street, Georgetown, CA. All who knew him are welcome to eat, drink, and share stories. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to Blood Cancer United (formerly the Leukemia Society of America).
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Make a Donation
in Norman Krizl's name
Please consider a donation as requested by the family.
Brian Sanford
January 31, 2026
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Amanda Gourley
January 31, 2026
Norm will forever be in our hearts and remembered for the love and joy he gave his family - may the Lord bless them.
How you can show support
Follow
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Linda Heckman Kling
January 23, 2026
I will always remember my jolly, happy cousin Norman. It was my privilege to pick grapes with him, shop the 99 cent store with him and sample the Christmas roast with him - just to test if it was done yet.
Gordon Helm
January 22, 2026
Norm will be hugely missed. I only really got to know him recently through the Farm Bureau. He always made great contributions and was a pleasure to talk to. I really enjoyed the time that I was able to spend with him.
Michael Kobus
January 22, 2026
Norm was a wonderful man who I respected a great deal. He will be missed.
Carol Frommelt
January 21, 2026
I am saddened to read of Norman's passing. Too young and had so much to offer. Sending my condolences to his family. Love to all, Carol Frommelt
Michael Simsik
January 21, 2026
I first met Norm at Berkeley in 1982, but we bonded during the summer of 1983 at the UC forestry field program in Meadow Valley, in the Plumas National Forest near Quincy. From the start, Norm stood out. His warmth, humor, and easy generosity drew people in. Me, as the city kid from L.A. and far from my element, I immediately felt welcomed by him.
Over the next two years, Norm became a pillar of our forestry class at Cal. Many of our best memories were made gathered at his Berkeley apartment, and later with him and Kathy at their place in Sacramento, and then later up in the hills-sharing meals, stories, laughter, and friendship.
I cherish the many moments we shared: visiting him at the winery tasting room in Berkeley where he worked, helping bottle his homemade 'Wheezl' wine in his garage, and traveling together-from a cruise to Mexico to a memorable trip to Brazil in 1986. We spent countless hours talking about forestry, environmental stewardship, and life in general, conversations always enriched by Norm´s insight and his gentle reminder not to take ourselves too seriously.
What I will remember most, though, is the kind of friend Norm was. He showed up. He was steady, generous, and kind without needing recognition. He made space for others, offered encouragement in uncertain moments, and reminded us why both the work and the friendships mattered.
Losing Norm hurts deeply. It feels unfair to say goodbye to someone who still had so much to give. Yet his presence remains-in the landscapes he cared for, the people he befriended and inspired, and in all of us who were lucky enough to call him a friend.
Norm made the journey better simply by walking alongside you. We will miss his laughter, his thoughtfulness, and his quiet strength. We honor him best by carrying forward the values he lived by: kindness, curiosity, humility, and care for one another and for this world.
Rest easy, Norm. You are still with us, in more ways than you know.
Dolly Wager
January 20, 2026
My heart breaks for Kathy and his whole family. Norm was a joy to be around. It will leave a big hole in the community and lives of many. So sad.
Laurel Mary Brent Bumb
January 20, 2026
This is so very sad. Norm was one of the good guys. My heart goes out to Kathy and the family.
Showing 1 - 16 of 16 results
1004 Marshall Way, Placerville, CA 95667
How to support Norman's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Norman Krizl's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
