Norman Henry Fossum

Our Heavenly Father called his servant, Norman Henry Fossum, to his heavenly home at age 92 on November 12, 2011, after a brief stay at Hospice House of Mid-Michigan.  Norman was born on April 20, 1919 in Mancelona, Michigan.  He was married for 70 years to his high school sweetheart, Beatrice (Ristau) Fossum.  He was a member of Emanuel First Evangelical Lutheran Church and was an avid supporter of Emanuel Lutheran School and the school library.  Norman was a member of Local 602 and worked at GM Fisher Body for 38 years as a skilled tradesman.  He also was a member of VFW Post 701 and the American Legion.  He served in WWII in the Army Counter Intelligence Corp., working often behind enemy lines.  On August 6, 1993, Norman was inducted into the Lansing Area Sports Hall of Fame as a member of the 1936 Cross Country Team.  He also was a lifetime member of the Lansing Liederkranz Club and enjoyed dancing and eating good German food.  He loved camping, boating, dancing, casinos, and especially singing with his family. 

Surviving are his wife, Beatrice; children, Linda (Bob) Bush and John (Pat) Fossum; son-in-law, Allan Bayes; 8 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Birger and Gudrun; daughters, Sandra Bayes and Lori Fossum; sisters, Ingeborg Wilkes and Delores O’Dell; brothers, Alvin and Arnt Fossum. 

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 16, 2011 at Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel with Pastor Paul J. Lindloff officiating.  Interment will follow in Delta Hillside Cemetery.  The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.  Special thanks to Norman’s wonderful hospice caregivers, Ruth, Susan, Carol, Casey, and others for the loving care he received. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Emanuel First Evangelical Lutheran Church.