Norman Otto Goertz

life story

Stormin' Norman

Otto G.

Norman “Otto G.” Goertz, the man, the myth, the legend and our father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away April 19th, 2021. Rumor has it, he was 92- but none of us are quite sure as he celebrated being 49 years old several times over.

He was born with that sneaky twinkle in his eye to Otto and Marie Goertz of Faribault, MN on March 15th, 1929. He had a bunch of brothers and a few sisters. Some biological, some joined “brady-bunch” style when Marie passed, and he gained Harriet Goertz as a bonus mom. There were also a few kids ‘adopted’ from the neighborhood. In short, he grew up with a house full of respect and love.

After serving 2 years in the Navy, claiming he tried to steal the ship’s anchor and sporting his infamous forearm tattoo, he returned to southern Minnesota in 1948. He used his good looks (he honestly looked like Elvis), dapper style (he used black shoe polish to style his hair) and charm (did we mention the twinkle?) on Doris Borchert and they married in August of that year.

Norm spent most of his career in the packaging and printing industry and retired from Americraft Carton in 1997, where he spent his last 6 years in management. Norman was named Commander in Chief of the American Legion Post 566, a position he was very proud of.

More than anything Norman loved telling stories and could strike up a conversation with anyone. His favorite stories would often feature his antics while flying airplanes and boxing in the lightweight division of the Golden Gloves. Growing up, his kids claim their friends would hang around and drink beer with him. He loved to do puzzles and build model airplanes. He enjoyed getting loud and angry during Bingo, threatening to leave, eating his weight in nuts and 3 types sampler of popcorn, sipping on coffee, cherry shakes or in his younger years Cognac or Black Martinis and watching the Vikings, “screw it up again, ya dummies”. Norman was a world class corn on the cob and chicken bone cleaner. His grandkids would often challenge him and stare in wonder at the spotless bone or the completely cleared cob. He was also well known for finding and sharing his “lucky” rocks.

Otto G. had a presence, a power, that is hard to define. His twinkle could swiftly change to a glare and charisma altar to attitude, resulting in anger-thus born the nickname “Stormin’ Norman” and his legendary temper. At the heart of it was a fierce protectiveness of his family and an urge to push you to be the person he knew you could be.

Norman is preceded in death by most of his contemporaries, as most crossed through the pearly gates ahead of him. We find comfort in imagining his wife and love, Doris Goertz, our Mother, Grandmother and Great- Grandmother welcoming him, so they could go have cocktails and dance the jitterbug. Norman and Doris had 3 children, Michele (Ian) Stevens, Michael Goertz and Kimberly (Phil) Meadows; 7 grandchildren, Mariah Meadows, Amanda “Jo Jo Pumpkinhead” (Ryan) Hoag, Nikolas (Kristen) Meadows, Kristopher Stevens, Katherine Goertz, Aaron (McKenna) Goertz and Kollin Stevens; 7 great-grandchildren, Sydney, Shelby, Charlotte, Keaton, Aubree, Jasper “the kid who always cries” and Simon.

We are all awaiting, with bated breath, the reading of his will, as he had threatened each one of us, multiple times, to remove us from it.

And we, his family, are all left to mourn his passing, while finding utter joy in knowing such a unique and wonderful man, we were proud to call ours.

memorial service

Otto G.

A celebration of Norman's life and internment will be held at a later date.