NORMAN WARPULA

NORMAN WARPULA Norman Warpula died Tuesday, November 26th at Hilltop Nursing Home in Watkins, MN. A Funeral service will be held Tuesday, Dec 17 at Cornerstone Church in Litchfield, MN. 1:00 pm Visitation, 2:00 pm service. Norman was born on July 6, 1936 in Grand Rapids, MN to Sam and Lily Warpula. He attended Country School near Squaw Lake Minnesota through 8th grade, and part of a year of 9th grade in Blackduck, MN. In the Spring of 1951 at age 15, Norman left home, and rode the rails to Western Montana where he found work doing a number of farm jobs, and later that summer following the harvest through many of the western states all the way to Oklahoma. After returning home, he worked with his dad clearing the way for Highway 46 from Northhome to Deer River. In 1956 Norman moved to International Falls to find work at the Mando Paper Mill. He was hired at the Railroad in the falls. He met Donna at the Covenant church. She became his wife on August 16, 1958. Norman and Donna had 4 children (Mike, Kim, Ken, and Dan). Norman worked hard as a truck driver, a carpenter, a logger, a business owner and a contractor in International Falls. He was a hard worker and was known for his fine work. In 1981, he moved his family and business to Fairview, MT where he remained for 10 years. In 1991, Norman and Donna returned to Minnesota to be close to family. Around 1992, Norman became a licensed insurance salesman. He worked at this job until he retired. Norman loved life, and was the most optimistic person even in the face of difficult circumstances. He had a can-do attitude about most everything. He was a fine welder, carpenter, and an unlicensed engineer. He could fix anything. He loved people, and talking with them, telling stories of his experiences, laughing hard, and learning new things. Norm loved the outdoors. Hunting and Fishing with his sons and grandsons brought him joy. He loved the LORD, he could often be found with his Bible in his lap, and a cup of black coffee nearby. He was a long time member of Cornerstone Church and a Gideon who supported the work of spreading God's word financially and voluntarily. Norman is survived by his wife, Donna, four children Mike (Significant other, Marcy Riebel), Kim (Ron Wiens), Ken,(Deb), and Dan (Stacy), and Rebecca Pratt; grand kids - Stacy (Matt Bates) Christopher, and Katherine (Dustin Woodruff), Zachary, Kaitlyn, Ian (Lauren), Seth, Cole, Miranda, six great grandchildren, three step-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother, Ronny.