George Norris, age 100 of Nemaha, IA, passed away on July 29, 2020, at Humboldt Care Center North in Humboldt, IA. George Washington Norris was born on July 30, 1919, in Yutan, Union Township, NE, to parents Marcus and Elise (Wagamann) Norris. He graduated high school at 16 years old in 1936, and was nominated to serve in Conservation Corps (CCC). In the fall of 1939, George began to study at Wayne State College in Wayne, NE, with a major in Engineering. On August 8, 1941, he enlisted in the United States Air Corps to serve his country. He served in the United States, non-combat due to being color blind, until the end of WWII. He earned the rank of Sergeant and Instructor and was honorably discharged on December 17, 1945, returning home two days later.
After George returned home from war, he returned to Wayne State College under the G.I. Bill and graduated in 1948. He met Kathryn Deloris Anderson while they were both teaching in Avon, SD. The two were united in marriage on August 20, 1949, in the Wakonda Baptist Church in South Dakota. This union was blessed with four children: Jack, David, Michael and Georgia.
In 1953, George earned his Masters of Education degree at the University of Nebraska Lincoln. He and Kathryn and their family then moved to Winside, NE, where George was Superintendent of Schools for a few years. In 1958, they made a final move to Nemaha, IA, where George began his service as principal of the new Crestland Community Schools. George continued as both a teacher and administrator until his resignation in 1980. George was a member of the Nemaha United Methodist Church, St. Elmo Masonic Lodge and a lifelong member of the American Legion.
Those left to cherish his memory include his children: Jack L. Norris of Euless, TX, David G. Norris of Houston, TX, Michael K. Norris (LuAnn) of Lake View, IA, and Georgia Norris Vajpeyi of Nemaha, IA; three granddaughters: Kristen Norris of Sac City, IA, Stephanie (Matt) Strode of Minneapolis, MN, and Shawna Norris (Chad) Reddick of Glendale, CA; three grandsons: Kyle Norris of Sac City, IA, Eashaan Vajpeyi of Cedar Falls, IA, and Varun Vajpeyi of Denver, CO; two great-grandchildren: Marlowe and Ezra ; nieces:
Nancy Norris of NC, Bonnie (Rodger) Freudenburg of NE, Mary Jo Hansen of NE; Christie (Mike) Gabel, SD; Dick (Linda) Anderson of SD; Doug (Valerie) Anderson of ID; Jane Watkins of-NE; Jerry (Kathy) Anderson of SD and Bruce (Cheryl) Anderson of SD; many great nieces, great nephews, extended family members and friends.
George was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Kathy; Sister Maxine (Alvin) Goerkin; two brothers: V.Lee (Alphadeen) Norris and Leon (Olive) Norris; sister-in-law Dorothy (Nels) Petersen; brothers-in-law: Russell (Leone) Anderson and Willard (Marjorie) Anderson. Niece Janet (Tim) Hollingsworth of NM.
Memorial Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, September 21, 2020, at the Nemaha Methodist Church in Nemaha, IA. Visitation will be held Sunday evening from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m., September 20, 2020, at the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home in Sac City, IA.
Gifts and memorials may be directed to the Nemaha United Methodist Church.
