Norman John Elvig

Norman John Elvig

January 23,1933 – December 21, 2024

Norm was born to Norman and Florence (Youngquist) Elvig on January 23, 1933, in Minneapolis, Minnesota at Fairview Hospital. His mother didn’t want a Norman Jr., so she called him Johnny. He was born the youngest of the 3 children. His oldest sister, Shirley, once wrote a paper for school referring to Norm (John) as her baby bother. The nickname stuck and John lived up to his nickname by bothering his older sisters and their high school dates.

The family lived most of Norm’s (John) childhood in Minneapolis with the exception of a year in California in his Junior year of High school. Norm (John) was baptized at the Stockholm Lutheran Church, in Stockholm, Wisconsin where his Swedish immigrant Grandparents and Aunt Mary attended church.

Norm (John) graduated in 1950 from Central High School, in Minneapolis. Norm (John) was a natural athlete who excelled in any sport he played including a few extreme sports like Ski Jumping. But his favorite sports were doubles tennis and hockey. He played in the State Championships in both sports taking home a few trophies.

Norm (John) loved hockey so much he played for the University of Minnesota and a Triple A team in Madison, Wisconsin, both at the same time. His position as a fearless goalie, with perfect eye/hand coordination, made him a much sought-after player. In those days a goalie's helmet was just a couple of leather straps over the head. There were no face masks then. Norm played goalie well into his 50’s and subbed into his 60’s in Beer and Pretzel hockey leagues.

Norm's (John) love of sports was passed onto his 2 children, Pam, born in 1958 and John, born in 1961. He had them on skates as soon as they could walk. This tradition continued with all of his grandchildren as well. With the exception of one granddaughter, Aimee, who told him, “You can’t make me”. She now voluntarily owns a pair of hockey skates.

A few of his grandsons even inherited his talent in hockey. Norm (John) coached teams, including travel teams for his son, John and grandsons, TJ, and Andrew. He was also a very popular goalie coach and was even out on the ice coaching high school goalies, while wearing skates, when he was 80 years old, demonstrating his moves.

Norm (John) was also good at other sports too. He played tennis through his 60’s taking home a few Senior Trophies. He played golf into his 80’s. During his later years playing golf he got, not one, but two hole in ones while playing with the same group of friends. He took home a number of trophies in a few senior golfing leagues too.

Norm (John) had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He was always active at the churches he attended. He served on many church councils as their treasurer. His faith was very important to him, and he shared that faith with his family and friends. Even taking grandchildren to Bible Study Fellowship with him. He was always serving others and demonstrating to his family and friends how to love and help others. Norm (John) would want everyone to accept Jesus into their lives and know his love.

Norm (John) was a proud Korean War Veteran. He served six years in the Minnesota Navy Reserves. During that time, he was deployed on the U.S.S. Oriskany, as an Aviation Engineer, working on the planes that bombed North Korea. He was a very decorated military man receiving multiple metals from the South Korean Government. He was such a good example that his grandson, Joseph, is following his footsteps as an officer in the Navy. Norm (John) was very proud of him.

Norm (John) worked for Northwestern Bell for 38 years through all of the name changes and restructuring. NWB transferred him five times between the cities of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Fargo, North Dakota and Omaha, Nebraska. He had to do a lot of traveling during those 38 years, for months at a time, to avoid any further transfers and to establish a home base, in Omaha, for his family to settle down. Before his final move back to Minneapolis.

Norm is preceded in death by his parents, Norman and Florence Elvig, his sister Shirley and her husband Bill Sneckenberg, his sister, Donna and her husband, Jules (Jack) Bergmann. Norm was also preceded in death by his nephew, Bill Sneckenberg, and his great-granddaughter, Alice Louise Elvig.

Norm is survived by his wife, of 68 years, Joyce Elvig. They both worked at Northwestern Bell Telephone Company, where they met in 1956 at a Retirement Party. Norm and Joyce were married on November 24, 1956. They loved to travel together and with family and friends.

Norm (John) is also survived by his children, Pam Elvig (Omaha, Nebraska) and John (Molly) Elvig (Castle Rock, CO). His six grandchildren, TJ (Melissa) Elvig, Michelle (Christopher) Edlin, Jake Elvig, Andrew (Samantha) Elvig Cossette, Aimee (Kyle) Geddes and Joseph (Elizabeth) Elvig. And seven great-grandchildren.