Norman H. Schommer, 93, of Devils Lake, ND, formerly of Munich, ND, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND.
Norman was born July 13, 1931, in Munich to Andrew and Annie (Michels) Schommer. He attended school in Munich, graduating in 1949 and began farming in 1950, and saw many changes in the farming industry as he started farming with horses in the early years and drove tractors with modern technology in his later years. He was proud to farm with his son for 48 years and farmed until he was 88 years old.
In 1953, he met the love of his life, Shirley Engelhart and they were married on Oct. 23, 1956, at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Devils Lake, ND. The first three years of their marriage, they spent the winters in Devils Lake where he worked at a gas station, while the summers were spent on the farm. In addition to his early farming years, he also supported his growing family by helping to build the Munich school, bar and meat locker.
Moving off the farm in 1962, they built their home in Munich where they lived until moving to Devils Lake in June of 2024.
In 1960, he attended Brunswick Pinsetter School in Chicago, Il where he learned the mechanics of how to repair pinsetter machines and maintain the bowling lanes. He managed Villa Lanes in Munich, ND, for 17 years where many of the community will remember him teaching them how to bowl. He was on the Board of the North Dakota Bowling Association and in 1987 was inducted into the North Dakota Bowling Hall of Fame.
He enjoyed being active in the North Dakota Telephone Communication System for 45 years serving on the boards at United Communication in Langdon, NDTC in Devils Lake and the state board BAND where he met many longtime friends. He was a lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus and a 4th degree member.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley, his children: Diane (Alfred) Padden, Clarksville, MD; Don (Michele) Schommer, Munich, ND. Grandsons: Phillip (Lisa) Padden and William, Rowan, and Mary, Royal Air Force Base, Mildenhall, United Kingdom; Eric (Kathy) Schommer and Lucy, June, and Margot, West Fargo, ND; Jared (Kirsten) Schommer and Adler, Ber, Oskar, Jacksonville, FL; and Trevor (Emily) Schommer and Avett, Johns Island, SC. He is survived by sisters: Viola (Bob) Borho, Selina Rhode, Bernetta Ritter, Lois (Wes) Parker, and Elaine (Robert) Perius and brothers Robert Schommer, Bernard (Aletha) Schommer, James (Connie) Schommer, Arnold (Liz) Schommer, Vern (Linda) Schommer; In laws, Pat Bosch, Dennis (Elva) Engelhart, Colleen (Don) Daniels, and Marla (Greg) Soper. Many nieces and nephews and their families also survive.
He is preceded in death by parents, brother Gilbert and infant brother Donald, father-in-law and mother-in-law Larry and Cecelia Engelhart, brothers-in-law Robert Rhode, Richard Ritter, Gary Engelhart and George Bosch and sister-in-law Trish Engelhart.
Visitation will be held on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture service at 7:00 p.m. There will be a 4th Degree Honor Guard at all services. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, November 23rd at 9:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Reverend Matthew Pamplaniyil, Reverend Michael Schommer and Reverend Steven Wirth concelebrating the Mass. There will be a time of fellowship at the Parish Center following the Funeral Mass with the graveside service at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, rural Munich at 2:00 p.m.
Memorials may be directed to the Altru Cancer Center or the Sunshine House in Grand Forks, ND in memory of Norman.
