Norris L. Schoen

Norris LeRoy Schoen was born June 6, 1929 in Fairbury.  He was John and Anna Ude Schoen's third child and second son. He attended Trinity Lutheran Parochial School west of Gladstone and graduated from Fairbury High School. Most of his youth revolved around church, chores and playing with his brothers.

During and after high school, Norris developed his love of baseball and played on the Gladstone team and eventually the Fairbury team. Baseball games were a community pride event at that time and Norris was very competitive, a trait that lasted his lifetime as anyone who competed against him would attest. He was a very good athlete and was recruited by the Cincinnati Reds. He was even asked to play on his wedding day, but wisely declined.

On August 31, 1952, Norris married Shirley Jean Schoenrock, thereby taking the rock off her name and putting it on her finger. They had five children and raised them on a farm north of Reynolds. Life revolved around farming, church, children's activities, and time with friends and family. And he played baseball, which evolved into playing softball. Men's softball was also a community pride event and the state men's softball tournament was held in Dewitt, NE for many years.  Then someone introduced Norris to golf. His athletic ability and competiveness had a new outlet.

Starting at the old Eastridge golf course, then the Fairbury Country Club course, the Buckley Creek Watershed course and courses in many states while on vacations, Norris played golf. He played with and against lots of people, sometimes complaining about and sometimes praising their games. He was hard on himself when he didn't play well, but always enjoyed playing golf .

Norris also enjoyed hunting and fishing. Through the years he hunted deer in this area and in western Nebraska, elk and deer in Colorado or Wyoming, and fished in many places where he and Shirley usually camped. He wasn't obsessive about these activities, but enjoyed them because they usually included family members and friends.

Traveling, especially with family and friends, was another activity Norris enjoyed. Whether it was camping or staying in a nice hotel; driving, flying, going snow skiing or taking a cruise; he enjoyed vacations. Throughout his lifetime he and Shirley took many trips, most as vacations along with some for the many organizations he was involved with.

For nine years Norris served in the Army Reserves becoming a Staff Sergeant. He served on many boards during his life including the Farmers Union and Farmers Cooperative in Jefferson County, Jefferson County Memorial Hospital Board, Jefferson County School Reorganization Board, and KRVN Radio Board for 21 years. He also served as  Sunday School Superintendent at Trinity Lutheran Church and on the Board of Elders at Grace Lutheran Church.

Norris passed away January 16, 2019 at Gardenside Long-term Care in Fairbury. He was proceeded in death by his parents and his in-laws, Henry and Sena Schoenrock;  brother and wife, Marvin and Marge Schoen; sisters and husbands, Beulah and Louis Issler, and Norma and Francis Tucker; brother -in-law Alvin Pohlmann; sister-in-law and husband, Lillian and Robert Molden; and son-in-law Scott Hein.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Shirley Jean, children; Ron and Peg Schoen of Lincoln, Marilyn Hein, Carol and Randy Schwisow, Jacki and Roland (Moe) Moellenberndt, all of Fairbury, and Mark and Sally Schoen of Lincoln. Grandchildren; Kristi and Mat Beu, Jessica Schoen, Trevor and Sara Hein, Casey and Brent Beachler, Jamie Schoen and Blake Wilhelm, Kelsey Schwisow and Saed Zarifa, Colby Moellenberndt and Sheena Nash, John Schoen, Alexa Schoen and Nate Grasmick, Austin and Gina Schoen, Haley Hein, Jordan Schoen, Justin and Taylor Schoen. Great-Grandchildren; Jaden Eskra, Wyatt Hein, Olivia Coday, Hadley Schoen, Quentin Hein, Dominic Schoen, Lillian Hein, and Caleb Moellenberndt. Brother;  Richard Schoen of Scottsbluff; sister-in-law, Clarissa Pohlmann, numerous nieces and nephews, many friends and acquaintances.

Services will be Monday, January 21, 2019 at 11:00 at Grace Lutheran Church in Fairbury.  The family will greet friends Sunday evening from 4 – 6 at Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury.  Memorials will go to the Family’s Choice. Burial will be in Grace Lutheran Cemetery – Gladstone, NE. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.