Norman Gene Raske

Norman Gene Raske, age 84, of Renville, died Wednesday, August 17, 2022, at the RenVilla Nursing Home in Renville. Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 22, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Renville. The Rev. Darren Green will officiate. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Fairview Cemetery in Renville. Visitation will be Sunday from 5-7 p.m. and will continue on Monday one hour prior to the services at the church in Renville. Arrangements are with Dirks-Blem Funeral Service, Renville, MN.

Norm was born August 11, 1938, on the family farm in Crooks Township, Renville County to Hans and Viola (Gens) Raske. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Renville. He grew up on the family farm and graduated from Renville High School in 1956. He then served his country in the United States Navy from 1956 to 1959. Following the Navy, he was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Harriet Brummer, on May 13, 1960, at St. John’s Lutheran Church. They lived in Minneapolis for four years where he worked for Ramsey Engineering. They moved back to Renville in 1964 to his grandparent’s farm north of town. He farmed for many years, and enjoyed his life on the farm with his family, raising crops, feeding cattle, and the barn cats. Norm was an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, the Renville Farmers Co-op Elevator Board, the Renville American Legion, and a Crooks Township Supervisor. He was a talented woodworker, constructing miniature houses, churches, furniture, farm machinery, and children’s playsets. He also enjoyed collecting miniature Farmall tractors and having coffee with his friends. He loved playing with his grandkids and joking around with his nephews and nieces. He enjoyed listening to old time music and playing cards with his friends and family.

He is survived by Harriet, his wife of 62 years and his three daughters: Susan Raske (and Bill Chale) of West Fargo, ND, Sara (and Jim) Anderson of Los Gatos, CA, and Debra Raske (and Scott Johnson) of Burnsville; his grandchildren: Caitlin Hooker (and Trent Velazquez), Megan Hooker, and Hailey and Jack Anderson; his sisters and brother: Noreen (and Mike) Lorette of Seattle, WA, Leland (and Norma) Raske of Marshall, and LouAnn (and Dave) Ahrens of Renville; many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Dirks-Blem Funeral Service, Renville, MN