1919
Norman
2008
Norman Siekas
October 1, 1919 — February 16, 2008
Norman Olaf Siekas was born October 1, 1919 in Hancock, Michigan to Arvid and Jennie (Houtari) Siekas. At age 12, the family moved to Tapiola, Michigan where he graduated from John Doelle High School in 1939. Norman moved to Detroit, Michigan in 1940 and started his career with Ex-Cell-O Corporation in 1941.
Norman was united in marriage to Marian I. Eggleston on July 1, 1942 in Detroit, Michigan. He was drafted into the U. S. Army in August, 1942 and graduated from OCS as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1943. As soldiers did, Norman had many destinations prior to landing in Leyte with the 8th wave of Infantry and the invasion of Okinawa with the first wave of infantry. 1st Lieutenant Norman Siekas was discharged from the Army in December, 1945.
Ex-Cello-O Corporation brought the paper milk carton into the Fargo, ND area in 1948. In 1950 Norm was asked to move his wife and two young sons to the Fargo area. Norm traveled on many occasions to Minnesota and North Dakota and could have chosen numerous towns to plant roots, but fell in love with the beauty of Detroit Lakes. Norman retired in 1976 at the age of 55 from Ex-Cell-O Corporation and promptly went to work for Tri-State Heating Supply. Norm leaned on his gift of gab to do sales for the next seven years, retiring in 1983. Because Norm had such a strong desire to stay active, in and out of retirement, he also groomed dogs, worked for the Detroit Lakes Ambulance Service as an EMT, as a funeral assistant for David-Donehower Funeral Home and mowed lawn at Lake Five Resort until ill health forced him to slow down at age 82.
Norm was extremely proud of his Finnish heritage and of being a veteran who served his country with pride. Norm truly loved and lived life to the fullest, passing on his sharp sense of humor to his four children. He thoroughly enjoyed the outdoors and sports but his true passion in life was his family, especially the "youngsters". As Norm's health deteriorated over the past few years, his family was in awe of his spirit and desire to live.
Norm is survived by his devoted wife, Marian of Detroit Lakes; sons, Dennis of Detroit Lakes, Mike and his wife, LuAnn of Crookston, MN, David and his wife, Sharon of Brainerd, MN and a daughter, Gayle and her husband, Mike Damlo of Detroit Lakes, 13 grandchildrenm and 21 great grandchildren, a sister, Leila and her husband, Robert Malmstrom of Lavonia, Michigan, a sister-in-law, Darlene Siekas of Houghton, Michigan. He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers, Martin, Rueben and Peter
Norman was united in marriage to Marian I. Eggleston on July 1, 1942 in Detroit, Michigan. He was drafted into the U. S. Army in August, 1942 and graduated from OCS as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1943. As soldiers did, Norman had many destinations prior to landing in Leyte with the 8th wave of Infantry and the invasion of Okinawa with the first wave of infantry. 1st Lieutenant Norman Siekas was discharged from the Army in December, 1945.
Ex-Cello-O Corporation brought the paper milk carton into the Fargo, ND area in 1948. In 1950 Norm was asked to move his wife and two young sons to the Fargo area. Norm traveled on many occasions to Minnesota and North Dakota and could have chosen numerous towns to plant roots, but fell in love with the beauty of Detroit Lakes. Norman retired in 1976 at the age of 55 from Ex-Cell-O Corporation and promptly went to work for Tri-State Heating Supply. Norm leaned on his gift of gab to do sales for the next seven years, retiring in 1983. Because Norm had such a strong desire to stay active, in and out of retirement, he also groomed dogs, worked for the Detroit Lakes Ambulance Service as an EMT, as a funeral assistant for David-Donehower Funeral Home and mowed lawn at Lake Five Resort until ill health forced him to slow down at age 82.
Norm was extremely proud of his Finnish heritage and of being a veteran who served his country with pride. Norm truly loved and lived life to the fullest, passing on his sharp sense of humor to his four children. He thoroughly enjoyed the outdoors and sports but his true passion in life was his family, especially the "youngsters". As Norm's health deteriorated over the past few years, his family was in awe of his spirit and desire to live.
Norm is survived by his devoted wife, Marian of Detroit Lakes; sons, Dennis of Detroit Lakes, Mike and his wife, LuAnn of Crookston, MN, David and his wife, Sharon of Brainerd, MN and a daughter, Gayle and her husband, Mike Damlo of Detroit Lakes, 13 grandchildrenm and 21 great grandchildren, a sister, Leila and her husband, Robert Malmstrom of Lavonia, Michigan, a sister-in-law, Darlene Siekas of Houghton, Michigan. He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers, Martin, Rueben and Peter
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