Obituary of Norman Lee Statzer

Our beloved husband, father, and father-in-law, Norman Lee Statzer, died peacefully at home at the age of 89 years, on Saturday, July 6^th, in the home he loved, surrounded by the family who loved him dearly.

Norman was a kind, compassionate, and gifted man of many interests and talents, with an abiding curiosity about the world and a sense of humor that wouldn’t quit. These last twenty-five years he has been a “gentleman farmer” who dearly loved his “little piece of Iowa paradise.” He loved the natural world and could spend hours on country drives with his “darling” wife, just soaking up the landscape. He enjoyed many different hobbies in his life, from landscape painting, to playing violin and piano, to studying the heavens with his telescope.

Above all, he loved his family – from his wife, children, and sons-in-law, to his Shambaugh UMC family of dear friends. He is proceeded in death by his son, John, and brother, Gene. Norman is survived by his wife of 69 years, Norma, his daughters Linda (Tim), Kathy (Riley), and Margaret, and his sisters-in-law Mary (Gil) Taeger and Jennie Statzer Plaweckie (Dick).

The most important lesson he taught all who knew him is summed up in our favorite Norman Statzer (Daddy) quote. “This is it! This is it! Don’t wait to be happy. This is it!”