Norman R. Kaforke Obituary (1920

Norman Robert Kaforke, the son of Mildred B. (Arnold) and Herbert Kaforke, was born February 22, 1920 at Blue Hill, Nebraska. He departed this life on Monday, March 7, 2011 at the Webster County Community Hospital in Red Cloud, Nebraska at the age of 91 years and 15 days. A lifelong resident of Webster County, Norman grew up in the Blue Hill community and received his formal education attending Trinity Lutheran Parochial School and graduated from the Blue Hill High School with the class of 1938. Following his graduation, he worked for a time with George Corner's Auto Body Shop. On June 28, 1941 Norm was united in marriage with Mildred Pauline Frey at Lincoln, Nebraska. This union was blssed with a daughter, Lynda Kay. In 1943, the family moved to Red Cloud. In the Fall of 1943, he began working at the Hastings Ammunition Depot. In 1948, Norman began his 36 year career with the gas company in Red Cloud, retiring in 1984. He was also employed for 30 years as a deputy with the Webster County Sheriff's Office. For 27 years, he dedicated himself to the Red Cloud Volunteer Fire Department. He was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church and the Hastings Metal Detector Club. In his leisure time he enjoyed fishing and hunting in the Republican valley. He was an avid gun collector and also enjoyed target shooting. His greatest love in life was for his family and he especially cherished the time they spent together. In December of 2009, due to their failing health, Norman and Mildred moved to the Heritage Care Center in Red Cloud. Preceding him in death were his parents; a sister, Neoma Thomas and her husband, Dale; a brother, Vaughn Arnold Kaforke; and a brother-in-law, Jim Venhaus. Left to treasure his memory are his loving wife, Mildred Kaforke of Red Cloud; a daughter, Lynda Mesloh of Red Cloud; granddaughter, Brenda Mesloh Kiene of Lincoln, Nebraska; a sister, Neva Venhaus of Albuquerque, New Mexico; a sister-in-law Peg Kaforke of Indianapolis, Indiana; other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held Thursday, 2:00 p.m., March 10, 2011 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Red Cloud with the Rev. Chad Boggs and Rev. Ron Kuehner officiating. Interment was at the Red Cloud Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to: Zion Lutheran Church, Red Cloud Mid-Rivers 911 Center or to the Donor's Choice Williams Funeral Home 241 West 4th Avenue Red Cloud, NE 68970 402-746-2500 williamsfuneralhomes@yahoo.com