The funeral service for Norman Geihl, 92, of Cottonwood, will be at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 18, 2022, at English Lutheran Church in Cottonwood. Visitation will be one hour prior the service at the church, and interment will follow at the church cemetery. A livestream and recording of the service will be available on the English Lutheran Church Facebook page.
Norman Elton Geihl was born on March 26, 1929, in Vesta, to Albert and Cora (Peterson) Geihl. He was baptized in Vesta, then the family moved to Cottonwood when he was a young man. Norman graduated from Cottonwood High School in 1947. Following graduation he began working at HW Ross Lumber Company in Cottonwood. On June 5, 1949, he was united in marriage to Marilyn Brennan in Granite Falls. They made their home in Cottonwood. In 1951 they moved to Colton, South Dakota. In 1956, they returned to Cottonwood where he has lived since. Norman worked at HW Ross for 52 years. Norman was very involved in the Cottonwood community. He was instrumental in getting the Cottonwood Golf Course established and served as their president. Norman was proud to be the first to tee off in 1976. He served as president of the Lion’s Club for several years. Norman was a member of the City Council. He raised English Trumpeter Pigeons from 1968 until 2006. He was a member of the English Trumpeter Club of America and the Western American Trumpeter Club. He sold and showed pigeons throughout the US, South America, and Canada. In the 60s and 70s, the local baseball diamond was called the Norm Geihl Stadium, after “Stormin’ Norman.”
Norman died on Monday, March 14, 2022, at Fieldcrest Assisted Living in Cottonwood. He is survived by his children Mark (Susan) Geihl, Pam (Vern) Buysse, Paul (Karen) Geihl, Dave (Shannon) Geihl and John Geihl; grandchildren Jennifer (Rick) Kortekaas, Brian (Annie) Geihl, Curt (Theresa) Buysse, Nicholas Buysse, Melissa (Chad) Friedrichs, Timothy Buysse, Aaric (Cheryl) Geihl, Courtney (Lucas) Voorhees, Zachary (Laura) Fischer, Thomas Geihl, Jarrett Geihl, Brandi (Garrett) Maxwell, Wade (Katie) Geihl and Lee (Jessica) Gilb; great-grandchildren Grace Geihl, Finnley Kortekaas, Charlie, Jack, Sophie, and Michael Geihl, Jade (Mike) Maxwell, Jordan and Jasmine Buysse, Taylor, Jacob and Hailey Buysse, Carolyn Fredricks, Dominick Paradis, Ben, Sam and Stella Geihl, Mally and Collins Fischer, Lucy and Conner Geihl, Liam, Jayce and Nova Geihl, Olive and Hazel Gilb; great-great-grandchildren Aydin, Paislee, Ella, and Hamish Maxwell; brother Delbert (Nellie) Geihl; and other relatives and friends. Norman was preceded in death by his parents, wife Marilyn, infant sister Lois, sister Alona (Cleo) Sealey, and brother Howard (Bette) Geihl.