F. Norman Berby, 87, formerly of Ada, MN, died on Saturday, July 27, 2013, at the Sanford Hospital Palliative Care Center, Fargo, ND.
Finn Norman Berby was born September 22, 1925 to Ole and Helga Berby in Ise, Norway. He attended school in Ise and following graduation completed mechanic's training. Shortly thereafter, Norway landed under German occupation during World War II. During this time the occupying army assigned Norman a factory job away from Ise. During his journey to the assigned work place the sixteen-year-old Norman decided he did not want to take part in working to aid a foreign country so during a scheduled stop he quietly slipped off the train taking him to his new work. For a while he was hidden from those searching for him. Once it was verified he posed no risk to them, he joined Norwegian Resistance that had been helping to hide him from the occupying army. For the duration of the war Norman worked quietly and carefully to disrupt and confuse the enemy in anyway he and his companions could while at the same time always being very careful to not to inflict casualties upon the enemy for fear of retribution to the Norwegian civilian population. He remained in the resistance until the end of the war when afterward Norman served 18 months in the Norwegian Military.
In 1953 he came to the United States to visit his uncle Andrew Berby of Borup, MN. Among other typical Norman adventures while on that first trip he worked a season on the Great Lakes iron ore boats as a Merchant Marine before retuning to Norway.
On May 21, 1955, he married Kirsten Hildeborg Aaserud in Norway. Later that year they moved to the United States, making their home in Borup, Minnesota. After moving to Ada, MN, Norman worked at Simpson Motor as a mechanic. In 1968 he started his own business, Berby Repair in Ada. In 1978 he became a partner in Simpson Motor and worked there until his retirement in 1999 when the business was known as Berby Ford.
In 2003 at a Berby Family reunion in Ise, Norway, Norman was surprised with a Medal and Recognition of Honor from the Norwegian government for his service during World War II in the resistance. In his usual humble fashion he was surprised by the honor his former country bestowed upon him. He spoke of the day with considerable surprise and humility.
Norman touched people with a gratitude for everything, a quiet, boyish charm, and a genuine humility as he reflected upon life and living. We have been blessed to know such a special soul and to call him Dad, Grandpa, and friend. He will be missed by his family and friends for the way he lived and moved so many of us.
Norman is survived his children, daughter, Norma (David) Borgeson, West Fargo, ND; son, Mark (Deb) Berby, Perham, MN; grandchildren: Reid Hekman, Coon Rapids, MN; Scott Hekman (Paula Sibelius), Fargo, ND; Tanner Berby and Tyler Berby, Perham, MN. His parents, a daughter, Kathryn Berby, his brother Eugene and his wife Kirsten preceded him in death.
Funeral Services will be at 11:00 am on Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at Grace Lutheran Church, Ada, MN.
Visitation will be from 5-7 pm on Tuesday, July 30, 2013 at the Fredrikson Funeral Home, Ada, MN.
Burial will be at a later date.
Arrangements with Fredrikson Funeral Home
Ada, Minnesota