ROCHESTER - Norman J. "Norm" Best, age 74, of Rochester, died Thursday, June 25, 2015 at his home.
Norman John Best was born Nov. 25, 1940 in Chatfield, MN to John and Ottilie (Duppary) Best. He graduated from the Chosen Valley High School in Chatfield in 1958. While in senior high he was the Captain of the school patrol. At this same time he spent some time in the principal's office for laughing in class. It was his biggest weakness. Norm volunteered for the draft when he was 18 years old. Out of his 3 years of service, 18 months were spent in Germany. There he met lifelong friends. For 43 years he worked at the Mayo Clinic, from 1963 to 2006. Graduating from the Rochester Vocational school in 1974, he worked in Mayo's Mechanical Shop. In 1985 he became the supervisor of that shop. He retired in May, 2006. On Oct. 20, 1962 he married Gloria Rasmussen in Rushford, MN, they were later divorced. On July 3, 2004 he married Karen (Krause) Erwin in Rochester, she survives. Norm loved horses and hounds. In his lifetime he owned some of the "best of the best". The year of 2009 was a mile marker. He and his wife Karen rode their horses across the continental divide in Montana. Later the same year, they visited the Grand Canyon, and floated down the Colorado River. Two items were checked off his bucket list the same year.
Survivors include his wife, Karen, his daughter, Susan (Kurt) Olson of Minneapolis; grandchildren, Jessica and Erik Olson; step-children, Spencer (Colleen) Erwin of Sioux Falls, SD, and Raelynn Omodt of Rochester; sisters, Eleanor (Riley) Hinzmann of Chatfield, and Marcia (Donald) Fosburgh of St. Peter, MN. His parents preceded him in death.
Visitation
JUN
28.
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (CDT)
Mahn Family Funeral Home, Rochester Chapel
1624 37th Street. NW
Rochester, MN 55901
Visitation
JUN
29.
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (CDT)
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
11th Ave & 12th St NW
Rochester, MN
Service
JUN
29.
3:00 PM (CDT)
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
11th Ave & 12th St NW
Rochester, MN