Merle M M Norris

Services for Merle Norris will be held Wednesday, June 8th in Sun City, AZ. Visitation will be from 9:00 – 11:00 AM at Sunland Mortuary, 15826 Del Webb Blvd followed by burial. A service later in the day to celebrate Merle’s life will be held at 2:00 PM at Willowbrook United Methodist Church, 19390 N 99th Ave, Sun City, AZ.

Merle was born in Lexington, Nebraska, on August 3, 1918. His parents were Orlando and Myrtle Norris. Merle was the oldest son of a family of five children. He is survived by his wife, Bernice Norris, of Omaha, NE, son Jerry Norris, daughter in law, Alice Norris, of Omaha, NE, granddaughter, Carrie (Norris) Turpin and husband, Joshua Turpin, Overland Park, KS, sister Kathleen Anderson, of Lexington, NE, sister Virgene Forest, Trophy Club, TX, brother in law Clarence Maack of Cozad, NE, brother in law Lawrence Maack of Cozad, NE, sister in law Lucille Rasmussen and husband Ralph Rasmussen of Denver, CO plus cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Merle was preceded in death by his parents, grandson, Gregory Norris, sister Lelah Schrack, brother Kenneth Norris, brother in law Roy Maack and his wife Alice Maack, sister in law Beulah Maack, and sister in law Jessie Maack

Merle grew up during the Great Depression of the late 1920's and early 1930's. He delivered newspapers and then worked in a drug store during high school to help the family. He graduated from Lexington High School in 1935.

On September 24, 1939, he married Bernice Maack from Cozad, Nebraska. They had one child – Jerry Norris in 1941. Merle worked in the alfalfa dehydration business in Lexington and was then drafted into the United States Army during World War II. He entered active service in 1943 and was a Staff Sergeant in the Armored Field Artillery Battalion. He and his men obtained and delivered ammunition to his Battalion. He served in France, Ardennes, Rhineland, Holland and Belgium and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He was wounded by a bullet, which came through the windshield of his truck,

and after many days in the hospital, he received an Honorable Discharge in November, 1945. He was awarded the Certificate of Merit, EAME Theater Ribbon with 4 Bronze Stars, Victory Medal II and Good Conduct Medal.

After being discharged from the service, he returned to Lexington, Nebraska, and managed two alfalfa dehydration plants until 1955. He then went to work for Ralston Purina as a livestock feed salesman where he worked for 15 years in Columbus, Nebraska. He received many honors from Ralston Purina as a top salesman and had 10 feed dealerships spread over 5 counties.

After leaving Ralston Purina he worked for Nebraska Public Power District in Columbus and was the manager of the right-of-way department. During these years, Merle became an avid golfer with a very low handicap. He often would shoot par for 18 holes.

He and Bernice traveled to Las Vegas every winter for 20 years. They loved to attend the shows and Merle was pretty good at craps (a holdover from World War II). They enjoyed traveling, but enjoyed special locations every year. They visited Estes Park, CO every summer for many years, too. They made frequent trips to visit their son, daughter in law and grandchildren.

In 1982, Merle retired and he and Bernice moved from Columbus to Sun City, Arizona, where they resided until his death. They lived in a home and then moved to Wooddale Village five years ago. Merle continued to play golf 4-5 times a week until 4 years before his death when eyesight problems prevented him from playing. He loved his golfing buddies and they had great times together.

Merle was a very devoted husband to Bernice. He loved to know what was going on in the family, he enjoyed reading and keeping up on current events, watching old TV shows, and was the first person to breakfast at Wooddale every morning with his beloved strawberries in hand to add to the menu. Merle’s insight and humor will be missed.

Memorials in honor of Merle will go to Willowbrook United Methodist Church, 19390 N 99th AVE, Sun City, AZ 85373.

Arrangements under the direction of Sunland Memorial Park, Mortuary & Cremation Center, Sun City, AZ.