Goodridge - Norman Kriel, 78, died Tuesday, May 4, 1999 at Dakota Heartland Hospital in Fargo, ND.
Funeral services were held at 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 8 at Ekelund Lutheran Church, rural Goodridge, with Reverend Robert Dahlen officiating. Carol Kriel was the organist, and special music was provided by Vernon Iverson and Orlin Hanson and Lisa Verbout and Tami Kost.
Casketbearers were Jeff Kriel, Steve Kriel, Ryan Kriel, John Verbout, Shawn Zak, Robert Kriel, Bruce Kriel, Greg Kriel and Mike Kriel. Honorary casketbearers were Tony Dorn, Kenneth Berg, Eugene Prestegaard, Marlin Kotrba, Elwood Ehrenstrom, Leonard Johnson and Alfred Hanson. Burial was in Ekelund Cemetery in Highlanding township of Pennington county. The Green Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Norman Kriel was born on August 21, 1920 in Hickory township of Pennington county, the son of Henry and Ann (Savage) Kriel. He was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith and attended country school. Norman lived in various places in Minnesota before settling in Star township near Goodridge. He drove cattle truck for Clarence Howard.
On December 23, 1939 Norman was united in marriage to Oleen Hanson. They have lived in Star township. Norman farmed until 1957. He also worked for Great Lakes Docks and Dredge as an oiler on a tug boat. Later he worked for Fishcher Construction and Thoreson Construction for many years, retiring in 1982. Following his retirement, Norman did trenching around the Goodridge area.
He was a member of Ekelund Lutheran Church, Goodridge Lions and the Eagles club in Thief River Falls. Norman enjoyed fishing, especially at his cabin on Lake of the Woods, Springsteel Resort, deer hunting and bowling. He was known as "Fix It Man" to the friends and neighbors who brought things for him to repair.
Norman is survived by his wife, Oleen; one daughter, Norma (Darcy) Moses of Rush City; one son, Roger Kreil of Goodridge; five grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Helen Olson of Bismarck, ND and Mary Lou (Jerry) Smith of Rapid City, SD; and one brother, Ralph (Judy) Kriel of Anoka.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Kenneth.
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