HERBERT LAVAR NORMAN – Brief History
By Miriam Norman Madsen
given at the funeral of her father: Herbert LaVar Norman
His full autobiography PDF is available in Dropbox also
Died -- Mar. 31, 1986 – buried in Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete
Dad was born of immigrant parents from Sweden almost 92 years ago on April 13, 1894 here in Mt. Pleasant, Utah. He was the 9th child of a family of 12. He has one younger sister surviving him.
He remembered going to work at an early age in the fields weeding potatoes and beets. When 13 and 14 years of age, he worked with his two brothers in a coal mine which his father leased and operated. In 1911 he went to work for Fred Rasmussen at the Denver and Rio Grand Railroad in Mt. Pleasant. He worked as a warehouseman and said the pay was not much, but that he was learning a trade. He had many experiences here as well as in Helper, Utah where he worked for a time.
In the spring of 1913 at the age of 19, he accepted the position to work for the agent of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad in Richfield, Utah. It was while he was working here that he met Mother. They were married September 2, 1914 at her parent’s home. When the agent of the Railroad Co., Mr. Stoors, purchased the Rex Theatre from Mother’s parents, he went to work there as a machine operator of the films at night and continued at the depot during the day. Their first child, Rex, was born in Richfield. Mother spoke of how thrilled and proud Dad was to have a son and to become a father.
In the spring of 1916 Dad accepted a job as station agent for the Bamburger Railroad Lines. They moved to Layton, Ut. -- then to Wellsville, Ut. He then accepted the position as the agent at Brigham City, Ut. It was here where their second son, Gordon, was born. In June of 1918 Dad accepted the position as cashier clerk for the Southern Pacific Railroad at Elko, Nevada. From there he went to Lovelock, Nevada, where I was born. He has often spoken as to what a trying job it was working in the office 7 days a week, 365 days a year. He had to be there for every train that arrived and departed, both passenger and freight. I can remember how the three of us would run across the school grounds to meet him as he came home from work and how he would try to carry all three of us home. I recall how we would have our Christmas’s on Christmas Eve so he could be home with us to enjoy the festivities.
In April 1924 Dad decided to leave the railroad and return here to Mt. Pleasant and farm. He had always wanted to work on the farms. It was here that Rowland and Bonnie were born. During the depression years, Dad went to work in Draper, Ut. operating the mill for the Draper Feed and Poultry Co. He stayed there for 5 years, coming home on weekends to help take care of family needs. Dad then bought a truck. He and the two boys trucked coal for several years. In 1939 he was offered a job as a carpenter for the Young and Smith Construction Co. After working there a short time he decided to stay with them. In about four years he was promoted to Superintendent of Bridge Construction. He worked for them for 25 years. He enjoyed construction work and worked in Utah, Nevada and Arizona building many of the overpasses on the freeway system. Mother and Dad bought a trailer and this was their home away from home for many years.
Dad retired in December 1963 at the age of 69. Dad joined the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (see "Great Grandpa Herbert was an Odd Fellow")while they were living in Brigham City, Ut. And he remained very active in the organization until it became difficult to drive because of the deterioration of his eyes. He served as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Utah. He was Representative to the Sovereign Grand Lodge for 2 years and served as Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Utah for 6 or more years. He was given the Meritorious Service Award for his years of service.
The most rewarding and exciting time in our lives was on July 15, 1972 when we as a family were privileged to witness our brother-in-law, Wally, take Dad into the waters of baptism and then my husband, Blain, confirmed him a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with his sons and grandsons who held the priesthood participating in the circle. The great climax came on August 9, 1973 when we as a family were privileged to participate and witness their sealing in the Salt Lake Temple. A dream of a lifetime came true. Dad has always been a proud man – proud of his family and their accomplishments, proud of his health and strength through the years and the things he was able to accomplish and fulfill. It is a rule of life that each of us, along with joy, success and accomplishments, must meet our share of trials, troubles and disappointments.
Dad has had six lonely years since Mother’s death. It was hard for him to be without her constant care and then to gradually have to give up his interests and activities through the aging process. We know that as Dad left us, he was welcomed by others of the family who have preceded him in death. May we as a family always be aware of the truths they taught us and the heritage they left us, I humbly pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen ,
Louella McGee Norman (wife)..Died -- Jan. 20, 1980 – buried in Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete, Utah
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