Norbert "Norbie" Bohr, 81

March 12, 1940 —

July 2, 2021

 

DECORAH - Norbert “Norbie” Bohr, age 81, of Decorah, Iowa, died on July 2, 2021, from pneumonia at his home, surrounded by his family.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on July 8, 2021 at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah, officiated by Rev. Donald Hertges. Interments was in St. Benedict Catholic Cemetery.

Norbert Edward Bohr was born on March 12, 1940, the son of Anton and Mary (Imholte) Bohr near New Hampton, Iowa. Norbert attended Notre Dame Catholic School in Cresco and graduated in 1959.

He was united in marriage to Diane Kleve on Aug. 6, 1960, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Cresco. To this union, six children were born, Lori, Karen, Dan, Jennifer, Becky and Darin. Norb worked for Interstate Power Company (now Alliant) for 39.5 years, retiring in 1999; working first as a lineman and then in service and maintenance. 

After retirement, he worked at home on his own tractors, but became bored and then went to work at DECO Products in maintenance for 19 years. In Norb’s earlier years, he loved to play men’s fastpitch softball as the catcher for Wapsie Produce in Decorah. He also fixed, tinkered and painted various tractors, with his favorite being the Ford 8N. Often making one-of-a-kind models, using flat head V12 motors with long chrome exhaust pipes. He enjoyed old vehicles and re-doing his 1926 Oakland Opera Landau. 

In later years, he could be found at his shop at home or having a drink with friends at Your Place. He also was known as the “quiet cobbler,” when he started to repair the old cobblestone street in front of St. Benedict Church. Norb was a member of St. Benedict Catholic Church, serving on the Church Council, School Board and Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus. He was instrumental in building the St. Benedict Parish Center in 1993 and was the caretaker of St. Benedict Cemetery since 2004.

 Norbert is survived by his wife, Diane Bohr, Decorah; six children, Lori Bohr of Minnetonka, Minn., Karen (Roger Hovinga) Schluter of Decorah, Dan Bohr (Tracey Thorsten) of Decorah, Jennifer (Gorden) Sabo of Rapid City, S.D., Becky (Russ) Jones of Huxley, Iowa and Darin Bohr of Decorah; 12 grandchildren, Mandy (Todd) Young, Erin (Miles) Kinman, Michelle “Mickie” (Chad) Bennett, LeeAnn (Mitch) Mastin, Travis Schluter (Alisha Goettl), Mitch (Kelsey) Schluter, Allissa (Rusty) Cook, Rachel Bohr (fiancé, Jason Winkler), Garrett Bohr (fiancé Jaden Severson), Russell Jones, Mikayla (Logan) Cornwell and Lauren Jones; great-grandchildren, Lillee and Brody Young, Kylee and Malia Mastin, Caroline Schluter, Jace Andera, Brynnlee Cook and Harper Winkler; and three more great-grands due in the coming months. He is also survived by one sister, Jeanette Heintz of Cedar Falls; two sisters-in-law, Joan Carolan of Cresco and Jeanette Chwialkowski of Bloomington, Minn.; and two brothers-in-law, Roger (Elaine) Kleve of Cresco and Joe Bouska of Charles City, Iowa; along with many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews and extended family and friends.

Norbert was preceded in death by his parents, Anton and Mary (Imholte) Bohr; father and mother-in-law, Hugo and Mary (Wenthold) Kleve; 14 siblings, Greg Bohr, Helen (Harry) DeVries, Harold (Daisy) Bohr, Joan Leaming, Ray (Luella) Bohr, Roselyn (Clarence) Shimek, Sister Rosemund “Eileen” Bohr OSF, Mary Jean (Jim) Parthum, Margaret (Victor) John, Francis Bohr, Rose Ann (Leland) Smith, Aloysius Bohr and John “Jack” Heintz; Diane’s siblings, Dee (Derrill) Davis, Ralph (Joanie) Kleve, Ann (Donald) Scharnweber, Donald Carolan, Hilary Chwialkowski and Marie (John) McAllister; nieces, Joan Smith Lyons, Linda (Dave) Bohr Wachlin, Maria John, Libby John Asher, Mary Pat Shimek and Jayne Shimek Lupkes.