Caledonia Argus

Posted: 1/5/04

Norman Trehus

Norman I. Trehus, 91, of Spring Grove, died Monday, January 5, 2004, at Green Lea Manor in Mabel, MN. He was born October 26, 1912, to Thomas and Margit (Hefte) Trehus, Jr. and raised on the Trehus homestead in Wilmington Twp., rural Spring Grove. He was a lifelong area resident. On September 5, 1931, Norman married Selma Ganrud, she preceded him in death on February 9, 2002.

For five years he worked at road construction. In 1939 he purchased the home farm and he and Selma worked hard, side by side, farming and raising their five children. They were very active in the Wilmington Lutheran Church, where Normanís grandparents, Thomas and Anne (Mathia) Trehus, Sr., helped organize the church in 1855.

Besides farming, Normanís passion was being a member of the Royal Flying Club (Flying Farmers). He enjoyed flying the blue and yellow Piper PA-11, which is still being flown today by Donald Kinneberg. He remained on the home farm until July of 2003, at the age of 90, and enjoyed watching his son David and his wife Donna farm.

Survivors include one son, David (Donna), Spring Grove; four daughters, Beverly (Jerry) Clauson, Spring Grove, Kathryn (Osmund) Gilbertson, Lincoln, NE, Darlene (Maynerd) Rauk, Evansville, WI and Sharon (Ron) Welper, Waterloo, IA; 15 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Manda Deters, Selma Trisch, Gunhild Renslo and four brothers, Theodore, Ole, Sever and Carlton Trehus.

Services will be Thursday, January 8, 11 a.m. at Wilmington Lutheran Church, rural Spring Grove with burial in the church cemetery. Pastor Elizabeth K. Stempinski will officiate. Friends may call Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. at Roble Funeral Home in Spring Grove and one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday.

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