DONALD NORBY

Donald "Donnie" Norby, passed away on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at the St. Cloud Hospital after a 6-year battle with cancer.  He was 69 years old.

Donnie was born on May 27, 1955, in Mora, Minnesota to parents Carl Loren and Peggy (Smith) Norby. The youngest of four children, Donnie grew up in the Warman area, attending Warman country school through the 6th grade.  He played football, basketball, and baseball at Mora High School before graduating in 1973.  He then began his lifelong career as a heavy equipment operator with the Local 49ers Union at Barton Sand and Gravel.  He spent the majority of his 42 years working in the Elk River pit before retiring.

In his younger years, Donnie loved horses, weightlifting, water skiing, and snowmobiling. Spending time outdoors cutting wood, trapping, fishing, and hunting white tail and mule Deer, Antelope, Elk, and Bear were Donnie’s favorite activities.  He enjoyed watching old Westerns and was a fan of WWF wrestling.  Donnie was so proud of his children and grandchildren and loved attending their sporting events and supporting all their activities.  Donnie will be remembered for his big personality and even bigger physical presence.  He will be dearly missed by all.

Don is preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife Lona; daughters, Lindsay (Luke) Graber, Kassie (Benji) Besser, and Katye (Andrew) Hill; grandchildren, Justin, Carson, Keegan, Kennedy, Briggs, Payton, Aspen, and Sutton; siblings, Dennis (Diane) Norby, Kevin Norby (Jane Schmidt), Diane (Dan) Johnson; special cousin Craig (Chris) Smith; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A Celebration of Don's Life will be held at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 in the Family Life Center at Grace Lutheran Church in Mora.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service, beginning at 11:00 am.

Interment will be in the Oakwood Cemetery in Mora.

A time of fellowship, refreshments, and sharing will be held at the Springbrook Golf Course following the services.

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