Norman Howard Rognlie was born on January 8, 1930 in Minot, North Dakota to Fridjof Rognlie and Clara Muri Rognlie. He grew up on the family farm outside Churchs Ferry, North Dakota alongside brothers Charles, Barney, and Homer. He attended high school in Churchs Ferry and Maddock, graduating in 1947. He was very proud of his Norwegian heritage. He was full blooded! He lived 94, healthy, strong years until Covid knocked on the door. He passed to the afterlife on April 1, 2024.
Dad had endless stories of growing up on the farm. After school he worked as a carpenter with his father building churches and houses until he enlisted in the Air Force in 1951. He is a Korean wartime veteran and was posted at Malmstrom AFB. It was in Great Falls that he fell in love with Montana and never left.
Dad took advantage of the GI Bill and attended Montana State University. He graduated in 1960 with a degree in Architectural Engineering and chose the professional engineering path. He loved bridges and eventually retired from the “Highway Department” as the Bridge Bureau Chief in 1988. His retirement years were not dull.
Helena was Dad’s home for 62 years, living in the same house on the east side. It was there that he raised his family and raised his beautiful garden, which became the neighborhood skating rink in the winter, for many years. Dad could fix anything and did. He loved to tinker. The garage was transformed into a butcher shop each hunting season and his kitchen was often full of family and friends, whom he loved to cook for. He was a master at preserving vegetables, making wine from his rhubarb and raspberries and making beer. He made the best venison jerky and his cast iron dutch-oven has roasted hundreds of wild game roasts with his garden vegetables. During the holidays you would find him making Norwegian cookies and what he referred to as soul food: LEFSE. Dad was an avid biker, runner, hiker, fisherman and firewood nut. The man loved his splitting maul. Classical music and opera kept him entertained when he was not in the mountains. He knew every composer by ear.
In 1959 Carol Johnson fell for the long, lean farm boy after a blind date while in college. The happy result was two children and four grandchildren, all of whom lived nearby as adults and were a huge part of his life. He was the best father and grandfather we could imagine. Dad and Mom separated but remained close until her passing a few years ago. Dad had a great social life. He was a member of the Helena Elks Lodge for 48 years and participated enthusiastically in every part from handball, to cooking and bartending, to the Lodge business. But most famously, Dad was a fantastic dancer and didn’t miss a dance at the Elks. He wore holes in his dancing shoes regularly. He was also a member of Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church for over 60 years.
Dad is predeceased by many family members and friends who he held dear to his heart and spoke of often till his final days. He was generous and kind, and always a gentleman. He will be missed by many, especially his immediate family: children Randi Rognlie and Matt (Juli) Rognlie and grandchildren Lenny Triem, Robin Triem, Allison Rognlie and Miriam (Connor) Overcast. Thank you to all his friends and family who continued to visit when age made it tough for him to visit them.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, May 10 at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church in Helena. Contributions in Dad’s name can be made to the Helena Food Share or the Antiochia Church renovation fund, Churchs Ferry, ND.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday May 10, 2024
Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church
3580 N Benton Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday May 10, 2024
Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church
3580 N Benton Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
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Rich and Kay Mitchell says
We teased Norm about him being a “North Dakota Norwegian!”
When we lived in Helena , he and Carol befriended us and we had some great times together!
RIP friend !
Rich and Kay
Mitchell
Kent Barnes says
Norm hired me into the Bridge Bureau 38 years ago. He was a good man to work for. He set a positive tone and that really helped make it a good place to work.
Sara Medley says
I remember your Dad fondly. Although it’s been decades, I remember his kind, smiling face as he interacted, on occasion with our children. Such a gentleman. My condolences.
Jane, Rose gehring says
Norm was a wonderful worker out there and he loved to dance .he was a kind gentleman. Rose gehring
Rose jane says
Norm was a great worker at the elks lodge .worked in kitchen Wednesday night hamburgers night.he cooked and bartending.high officer in the elks .Rose worked with at elks club for 28years
Linda Nelson says
Norm and my husband Ralph Nelson, used to tease each other about being the last 2 men at Our Redeemer’s who always wore a suit and tie to church. Parting with those suits, ties and dress shirts after he passed away in 2021 was difficult because I knew how important they had been to him. Norm’s smiling face blessed us every Sunday morning.
Eric Regensburger says
Over 20 years ago Norm was gracious enough to let this city boy from back east join in the annual Rognlie deer hunt over by Big Timber. In the few years that I joined them Norm taught me as much as he could about hunting and of course the butchering process back in the garage of the Lockey house. I didn’t hunt enough over the years to became an expert hunter, but learned a lot about it in the time I got to spend with Norm.
Vilma Ackerman says
Hi Randie and Matt. So sorry to hear about Norm. Earl also passed away on May 22. The three of them are together again. May they rest in piece. Vilma Ackerman