Funeral services for Norman Wanstedt, age 90 of Spearfish, and a longtime Keldron farmer and rancher, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 10, 2008 at Spencer Memorial Presbyterian Church in Lemmon. Pastor Webster P. Brower and Pastor Charlotte Kvale will officiate with burial in Greenhill Cemetery at Lemmon.


Special music will be provided by Marilyn Willey.


Serving as casketbearers are Kirk Wanstedt, Chad Wanstedt, Nicole Brocke, Shane Lynch, Ryan Lynch, and Brett Lynch. All of Norman's friends and family are considered honorary bearers.


NORMAN GUSTAVE WANSTEDT was born December 25, 1917 in Rolling Green Township in Corson County, southwest of Keldron, SD. He was the fifth child born to Gustave and Ruby (Sande) Wanstedt. He attended White Deer School near his home and graduated from Lemmon High School in 1936. Due to the drought, Norman went out west where he worked for a short time until returning to the Wanstedt Family Homestead.


He was united in marriage to Eunice N. Lighthall on June 22, 1942 at Morristown, SD. They began their life together on the Wanstedt farm. To this union were born two children, Alan and Arletta. Together, they raised their family south of Keldron and over the years continued to expand their farming and ranching operation along with their daughter and son-in-law, Arletta and Denis Lynch and family. On June 9, 1995, his wife Eunice passed away. Norman continued living on the place along with the help of Denis, Arletta, and grandsons, Ryan, Shane, and Brett Lynch.


Norman was united in marriage to Marjorie "Marge" (Beals) Bratzel Lillegaard on January 20, 1998. They moved to Piedmont and in 2001 to Spearfish.


He was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church and later Hope Presbyterian Church.


In his early years, Norman played baseball for the Gumbo Flat Boys. He enjoyed dancing, attending rodeos and playing cards, especially whist and pinochle. Norman was an avid coin collector and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He enjoyed reading the newspapers, including the comic strips, visiting with family and friends, and a good cup of coffee. He was a smart businessman who in later years enjoyed his trips to Deadwood, and especially those great lunch specials. He was a very kind-hearted man whose knowledge and generosity helped establish many young farmers and ranchers. Norman passed away suddenly on Monday, October 6, 2008 at the David M. Dorsett Regional Senior Care Center in Spearfish.


Surviving family members include his wife, Marge, Spearfish, SD; one son and daughter-in-law, Alan and Barbara Wanstedt, Findlay, OH; daughter, Arletta Lynch, Lemmon, SD; six grandchildren, Kirk (Lori) Wanstedt, Chad Wanstedt, Nicole (Matt) Brocke, Shane (Tracy) Lynch, Ryan Lynch, Brett Lynch; 3 great grandchildren, Kelly Ann Lynch, Victoria Brocke, and Ally Wanstedt; one sister-in-law, Beth Winter, Rapid City, SD; and a host of friends.


He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Eunice on June 9, 1995, son-in-law, Denis Lynch on April 11, 2003, 3 brothers and sisters-in-law, Clinton and Bernice Wanstedt; Elmer Wandstedt; Cameron and Agnes Wanstedt; 1 sister and brother-in-law, Geneva and Albert Hornung, and a brother-in-law, Dan Winters.


Visitation will be Thursday, 1:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon and on Friday one hour prior to services at Spencer Memorial Presbyterian Church.