Norman Waite was born February 8, 1929 to Homer Waite and Mildred (Johnson) Waite in Shell Lake, Wisconsin. Norm was raised on the family farm along the Yellow River in northwestern Wisconsin which made for an exciting childhood, but also a need to always be on the move. Known to many by his boisterous voice, “Stormin’ Norman,” he was a friend to many, and a helping hand to all that called on him.
Norman married Patricia Ann Swetland on September 25, 1948 and they enjoyed 57 years together while raising a family of nine children. Norman in his ever unsettled way left the family farm in Wisconsin to move to Montana in 1950 with his loving bride Patricia and two young daughters Alice and Patty. Upon settling in Shelby, Norm found work in the lumber yard and then with Montana Dakota Utilities in the Whitlash Gas Field which later became property of the Montana Power Company.
Norm retired from the company in 1988. While at Whitlash Norm and Pat added to their growing family – Paul, Kathy, Mary, Mike, Bill, Frank, and Little Stormin’ Norman Patrick. Norm and Pat’s most precious years were lived while in the Whitlash Community and while spending time at their cabin in Es with friends of Bill W. and Dr. Bob.
Norm’s most notable contribution to his friends and family was his willingness to help a neighbor in need and his 51 years of sobriety in the AA Program. Giving up was not a part of Norm’s inner most being, but letting go became a necessity after the loss of his second daughter Patty in 1963, his father Homer in 1967, mother Mildred and older sister Eileen in 2000, his bride Patricia in 2005 and his first child Alice (Waite) Kanning in 2014. After retiring from the Montana Power Company and moving to Shelby, Norm often traveled back to his roots in Wisconsin to help his two sisters Evelyn and Eileen care for his aging mother Mildred and to visit friends and extended family.
After moving to Shelby upon retirement, Norm also enjoyed time with friends at the Shelby and Cut Bank Senior Centers playing cards and enjoying pot luck dinners as well as attending Lutefisk dinners at the many surrounding area churches. As Norm goes on to his eternal rest he leaves behind daughters Kathy (Tom) Lakey and Mary Waite; Sons Paul, Mike (Tammie), Bill (Tami), Frank, Patrick (Brenda) and Son-in-law Fred Kanning. Grandchildren Shawn, Becky, Erik, Christopher, Sandra “His Beloved Aggravation Player”, Tommy, Lynn, Terry, Juley, Dylan, Heather, Douglas, Ryan, Raegen, Raquel, Kristy, Darren, Steve, Tara, Jessica, Great/Great-Great Grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces.
In lieu of Flowers, Memorials can be made to the Benefis Peace Hospice of Montana or to a charity of one’s own choice.
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