Norman Roald Felde

Norman Roald Felde, 97, of Moorhead, MN, passed away on Monday, November 1, 2021, at Farmstead Living, Moorhead, MN.

Norman was born to Mathias and Borghild (Jahr) Felde in Barnesville, MN. The family later moved to Fargo, ND, where Norm graduated from Fargo Central High School in 1942.

Norm served his country during World War II with the US Army. His unit of combat engineers traveled to Omaha Beach in Normandy after D-Day, eventually following General Patton’s Army to provide support during the Battle of the Bulge. When the war ended, Norm was stationed with the military government in Frankfurt, Germany, where a notable assignment, for those who knew Norm, was daily distribution of beer and liquor to the US troops stationed there.

Norm received a degree in Elementary Education from Moorhead State where he was a standout athlete, earning letters in football, baseball, basketball, and track, and was later inducted into the Dragon Hall of Fame. He played semi-professional baseball after college with the Minot Mallards where he met his future wife, Barbara Bowlby; they were married in 1951. Norm taught in a couple small North Dakota towns, then he and Barb moved to Moorhead, MN, in 1954. Norm taught and was also the principal at Sabin Elementary School, later transferring to Thomas Edison Elementary School, where he was principal for twenty years.

With his love of community and sports, Norm was active all of his life. He was dedicated to both VFW and American Legion activities. He coached the Moorhead American Legion Baseball team for ten years and was a Post Commander. Norm coached a Junior AAU Olympic traveling track team in Moorhead. He was a baseball, basketball, and football official for high school sports. A golf enthusiast, he and Barb purchased the Willow Creek Golf Course in Barnesville, MN, in 1971 and ran it for ten years. They moved back to Moorhead in 1981 to a house along the eighth hole of the Moorhead Country Club where they were enthusiastic members.

Norm also loved Jeeps, eagles, rocks, whittling, throwing dice, classical music, and Grain Belt beer. He kept many close friends throughout the years; neighbors, golfers, former teachers, and drinking buddies will remember Norm always humming a tune or two. He got along with everyone and couldn’t enter a place without someone knowing him and yelling out, “Norm!”

Norman is survived by his children, Diane (Doug Finke) Felde-Finke, David (Terri) Felde, Debbie (Stephen Mercurio) Tocci, and Douglas Felde; grandchildren, Jesse Finke, Anna (Brian Bangerter) Finke, Molly (Vikas Bajaj) Felde, Kate (Paul Laker) Felde, Adam (Juliette) Felde, Jake (Angela) Felde, Angie (Danny Tarkington) Lackmann, Dominic Mercurio, Caitlin Felde, Dawson Felde, Isaiah Nelson, and Eden Felde; 14 great grandchildren; 9 great-great grandchildren; brother, Phil Felde; and many other loving relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his cherished wife, Barbara; parents, Mathias and Borghild; infant children, Denise and Douglas James; grandchild, Peter Tocci; and siblings, George, Maurice, Lillian, Lorentz, Florence, and Eva.

Norm’s family thanks all of his superb caregivers: the Fargo VA Health Care System, Hospice of the Red River Valley, and the fabulous folks at Farmstead Living.

Memorials may be designated to Moorhead American Legion Blues Baseball and MSUM foundation.

Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M., followed by the memorial service at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, June 18, 2022, at Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN. Burial will take place at Fargo National Cemetery, Harwood, ND, on Monday, June 20, 2022, at 10:00 A.M. A livestream of the memorial service will be available on Norman’s webpage at www.wrightfuneral.com where a guestbook and video tribute may also be found.