Obituary of Norman L. Richmann

Cedar Rapids Dateline: Norman L. “Norm” Richmann (79) passed from his earthly home to his eternal home on May 28, 2006, following a lengthy battle with diabetes, heart and kidney disease. Visitation at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service - 2720 Muscatine Avenue , Iowa City from 4-7 PM on Friday, June 2. Services at 10 am on Saturday, June 3, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 8300 C Avenue NE, Cedar Rapids. Pastor Perry Fruhling will officiate. Burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Coralville. On line condolences may be sent for Norm’s family to gayandciha.com. Norman was born May 1, 1927 in Bremer County, Iowa, to John and Eldora Richmann. He graduated from Readlyn High School. On May 15, 1948, he was united in Holy Matrimony with Maxine Sommers, a union with 48 years of special love and commitment until Maxine’s death. On October 11, 1997, he was united in marriage with Phyllis Kahler. They were blessed with 8½ years of loving devotion. Norman began his career in the creamery business in Bremer County, Williamsburg, and Sigourney. In the late 1950’s, Norm was selected as Iowa Buttermaker of the Year at the Iowa Dairy Cattle Congress. He later enjoyed many successful years in sales in the plumbing and heating business and in automobiles in Iowa City. He was an avid square dancer and served on many committees and offices on the local, regional and state level as well as serving as State President for three years. Norman loved having “coffee with the boys” at Donutland in Cedar Rapids and had many special friends. Norman was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Cedar Rapids and formerly a member, officer and board member of Christ the King Lutheran Church, Iowa City. Norman was a devoted son, husband, father, and grandfather, who was so very proud of his family. His family includes his wife, Phyllis; three sons and daughters-in-law, James (Frances), Lewes, DE, Thomas (Kathryn), Cedar Rapids, and Scott (Patrice), Portland, OR; one daughter, Lynnette and special friend Damon Henry of Seattle, WA; six grandchildren, Isaac, Helsa, Elizabeth, Monica, Audrey, and Samuel; three great grandchildren, Diego and Sophia Del Cid and Izaiah Richmann; three stepchildren and three step grandchildren; one sister, Myrtle (Henry) Waidelich of Waverly and two brothers and a sister-in-law, Kenneth of Sioux City and Arlin (Marlys) of Denver, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, one son in infancy, two brothers-in-law and one sister-in-law. The family is grateful to the doctors, nurses and staff of the Mercy Dialysis Center of Cedar Rapids for their 3 1/2 years of care; to the gentle, compassionate and caring Christian nurses and staff of Linn Manor Care Center of Marion where Norman was content in his last months and to Hospice of Mercy for keeping Norman comfortable during his final days. Memories of Norman will be treasured always and he will be greatly missed by all those whose lives he touched. In lieu of flowers a church memorial fund has been established. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service of Iowa City is caring for Norm’s family and his services.