Lois Louise Kruschke Norby

Lois Louise Kruschke Norby, 97, Moorhead, MN died Saturday, June 24, 2023, in Bethany on 42^nd, Fargo, ND where the caring staff treated her and her family truly compassionately.

Lois Louise Norby was born March 6, 1926, to Otto and Ellen Jane (Rieke) Kruschke, Fairfax, MN on a farm where Lois lived with her 8 siblings until she was 6 years old. Then her father bought a larger farm between Doran and Breckenridge, MN. Lois attended grade school in Doran attending the first consolidated school in Minnesota riding to and from school in a horse-drawn school wagon. Lois attended high school in Breckenridge and graduated in 1943. 

She married Chester Norby on June 7, 1943, moving with Chet to Atlanta, GA where he was stationed with the Army Map Service during WWII. After the war, they returned to Breckenridge where they opened a NAPA Auto Store which they owned for 18 years.  Chet and Lois enjoyed card clubs, square dancing, bowling and golf leagues. In 1962, the family moved to Morris, MN where Lois worked in the business office for the fledgling University of Minnesota Morris. She loved her thirty years with her coworkers on the growing campus. Lois enjoyed knitting clothing for her grandchildren, baking Norwegian Christmas treats for her extended family and traveling. Lois earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management at UMM.

Since Lois retired in 1991, she and Chet lived in Moorhead enjoying their lake property on South Lake Lida. Lois enjoyed fishing and camping for many years. She enjoyed planning family reunions for the Kruschke family and the Norby family. She was very active in the Grace United Methodist Church, loved her flower gardens and plants, and played bridge two to three times a week with the seniors in Moorhead and Fargo. Loyally, Lois always cheered for the Minnesota Vikings, the Minnesota Twins, and the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks in person or from her favorite chair in front of her TV.

She is survived by her daughter Paula (Keith) Sanders; her son-in-law, Dan Hinnenkamp; two grandchildren, Bethany (Bernard) Steele and Jerrod (Stacy) Sanders; five great-grandchildren:  Kade, Adelyn, and Theren Sanders, Benjamin and Rachel Steele, and many beloved nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband and her daughter, Barbara Hinnenkamp; by her siblings, Amie (Franklin Woodworth), Armie (Myra), Lyla (George Steger), Orville (Myrtle), Minerva (Raymond Bluhm), Caroline (Warren Ritchie/Henry Schoeneck), Marvin (Joyce), and Harold; by one great-grandchild, Alexander Thomas Steele, and by a number of beloved nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Women of Grace, 1120 17^th St S, Moorhead MN 56560 or Bethany Foundation, 201 University Dr S, Fargo ND 58103.

Visitation will be Thursday, July 6, 2023, from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M., at Wright Funeral Home in Moorhead, MN. Visitation continues Friday, July 7, 2023, from noon to 1:00 P.M. followed by the funeral service at 1:00 P.M. at Grace United Methodist Church in Moorhead. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Breckenridge, MN, following the service.