Harold Norman Dusenberry

1933 - 2024

Harold Norman Dusenberry, 90, passed away peacefully on January 29, 2024, in Bozeman, Montana. Norm was born on June 22, 1933, in Roundup, Montana, the son of Harold Lyle and Harriet Slayton (Hogan) Dusenberry. His early years were in Stanford, Forsyth, and Bozeman.

Norm attended Bozeman's Gallatin County High School and, upon graduation, joined the Navy with several pals from high school. He married his high school sweetheart, Allene Sorenson, in 1951. His Navy life took them to San Diego, Memphis, and Whidbey Island (WA).

After the Navy, they returned to Bozeman and Norm attended Montana State College, obtaining a degree in geology. After graduation, Norm found employment as a right-of-way agent with the City of Los Angeles. He subsequently worked on several early rapid transit systems which took them to locations all over the country. But, as many have discovered, the Montana root system exerts a powerful force and they eventually wound up in Great Falls and, finally, back in Bozeman.

He enjoyed the outdoors and during his college years, he discovered skiing, which became a lifelong passion. And, although they could ill afford it while going to school, he and his brother bought a small boat for water skiing. The problem was that, after buying the boat, they couldn't afford the water skis, so decided to make their own with plans from a Popular Science magazine. It was, to be generous, only marginally successful.

Throughout his life, Norm loved playing tennis, fishing, and taking rafting, and horse-packing trips. In his later years, his creative juices focused on painting, and, with his typical "all in" approach, he became a devoted student and very accomplished artist.

Norm became a resident of Highgate Senior Living in 2016, where he met Carol Barbee. The two enjoyed several years of companionship, and dancing at the Pony Bar on Sunday afternoons.

Norm will be fondly remembered for his good humor, sharp wit, kindness, boundless enthusiasm, tenacity, and talent for everything he tried. He was very proud of his family. He will be truly missed by all who knew, and loved him.

He is preceded in death by Allene Dusenberry, and his parents Harold and Harriet Dusenberry.

He is survived by his brother Gary Dusenberry (Patty) of Bellevue, Washington, daughter Dru Ann (John) Robidou of Wilsall, MT, son Steve Dusenberry of Chicago, and daughter Janet (Jim) Strozier of Albuquerque; as well as 15 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

Norm's family would like to thank the staff at Bozeman's Highgate Senior Living, Enhabit Home Health & Hospice, and Stenberg Funeral Home of Big Timber for their care and support.

A summertime memorial will be held for Norm in August near Gardiner. More details to follow.