Norman A. 'Norm' Waurio

KIMBALL, Wis. - Norman A. Waurio, 79, of Kimball, passed away peacefully Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015, surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer.

Norm was born on Feb. 10, 1936, in Ironwood Township, Mich., a son of Arnold John and Sigrid (Manninen) Waurio. He attended Roosevelt School and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1955.

Norm proudly served in the U.S. Army National Guard for several years.

On Feb. 23, 1957, Norm was united in marriage to Christine A. Dalbeck in Wakefield, Mich.

He attended two years at DeVry Technical Institute, and then went to work for Martin Marietta Missile Defense program in Orlando, Fla., from 1959 to 1964, and Cape Kennedy Space Center under the NASA Space program with high security clearance from 1964 to 1967.

Moving his family to Michigan, he worked for Bendix Aerospace program in Ann Arbor. Norm was recognized for being the last person on earth to have the Apollo space equipment running before it landed on the moon.

Returning to the U.P., he worked for White Pine Copper Company. When laid off from there, Norm was recruited by Ingersol-Rand for a teaching program in Equador, South America. He was a part of an international team of specialists who guided them in constructing a hydro-electric system.

Upon returning to the United States, Norm worked for various companies as an electrician, retiring from Marquip Corporation in Phillips in 1998.

He and Chris made their home in Kimball.

In earlier years, Norm enjoyed fast-pitch softball, and was being recruited by a minor league team as a pitcher until an arm injury ended his career.

He was on numerous bowling leagues and received a 500 series plaque.

Norm took great pleasure in out-of-door activities, back-packing, fishing and traveled throughout the United States and Canada. In later years, his hobbies included bird watching, gardening, woodworking and rock cutting.

Norm is survived by his wife, Chris; three children, Norman V. and Anna Marie (John) Grasso, both of Wakefield, and Robert A., of Sheridan, Wyo .; 14 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; a sister, Annette Scott, Wakefield; two brothers, Dan (Carol) and Dale (Shari), both of Ironwood, Mich .; an uncle, Elmer Waurio, Hurley; and numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Mary Ann, in infancy; and a brother, Darrell.

The family will greet relatives and friends on Tuesday, Dec. 15, from 9:30 to 11 a.m., at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ironwood. A memorial service will follow the visitation at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Kurt Brandon officiating.

Lunch will be served at the church fellowship hall following the service.

Committal services and interment will take place at Lakeside Cemetery, Wakefield, in the spring.

Arrangements are under the direction of Jerald Rocco, owner-manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield. Online condolences may be made to lakesidememorialchapel.com.