Norman Small

Norman Alton Small, the son of William R and Mary L (MacIver) Small was born on December 11, 1922 at St. Mary's Hospital in Duluth, MN. Following his graduation from Detroit Area Schools he began his career in the shipping industry. On December 1,1945, Norman enlisted in the U.S. Army, and he served with the Military Police in Germany during WW II. Following his honorable discharge on May 28, 1947, he returned to his former career and became a Wheelsman on grain, ore and cement freighters on the Great Lakes. On December 28, 1953, Norman was united in marriage to Lillian Violet Hansen in Waldo, WI. They established their home in Mountain Lake, MN, and this is where the settled full time following retirement. Following his retirement they would travel back to the Great Lakes ports to shipsit while freighters were in port. Norman joined the First Presbyterian Church in Mountain Lake in 1956, where he remained a member. He enjoyed driving and caring for his car, his cats, bird watching, and going to McDonalds for coffee. Norman died at his home in Mountain Lake on Monday, May 26, 2008 at the age of 85 years. Norman is survived by a sister, Jenny in New York; a sister-in-law, Ruth Small in Sturgeon Bay, WI; several nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Lillian Small on August 19, 2004; and a brother, William Small.