Norman Gerald Landby, 73, of Crookston, Minnesota, died peacefully Monday, February 22, 2010 at the RiverView Hospital in Crookston, surrounded by his loving family. Norm was born at Swift, MN on October 1, 1936, one of six children of Martin and Gladys (Hoscheid) Landby. He grew up on the family farm, was baptized and confirmed in the Emmanuel Lutheran Church, and attended elementary school at Swift and nearby Roosevelt. Norm received his high school education at the Northwest School of Agriculture in Crookston. On September 4, 1954 he was united in marriage to his childhood sweetheart, Ilene Mae Johnson, at the parsonage of the Zion Lutheran Church in Warroad, Minnesota. Ilene and Norm first met when they were five and six years old, and it was love at first sight. The couple first lived on Norm's home place where he farmed with his father and worked for the Landby Alfalfa Dehydrating Company. They later moved to Nicollet, Minnesota where he worked on a dairy farm. In 1959 Norm, Ilene and their growing family came to Crookston. Norm was employed at Saul Motors until the mid-1960's when he began working for Dean Henre at Erickson Electric. At this time Norm began attending night school at the Northwest School of Agriculture, diligently pursuing course work that earned him his journeyman's electrician license. After becoming a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) #1426 he began employment with Hanson Electric of Bemidji, Minnesota. A few years later he became field superintendent for Rick Electric of Moorhead, Minnesota, specializing in high voltage termination and overseeing many large construction projects for the company. He retired in 1999 as a Master Electrician.
Norm and Ilene were devoted members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church. He served on the Board of Deacons and several of the church's committees; assisted with planning for the new addition to the church, sang in the choir, and did custodial work. Norm had been Chairman of the Board of the Agassiz Federal Credit Union for nine years, and was currently a member of the Northwest School of Agriculture Alumni Board. One of his favorite hobbies was restoring furniture and dealing in antiques. He always told people that he “bought junk and sold antiques.” Throughout his life Norm was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing, including two awesome fishing trips to Alaska. He and Ilene liked to travel; seeing different parts of the country, and a trip to Scandinavia but most of all doing it together. Sadly, Ilene suffered an illness several years ago as a result of complications from surgery. Norm dedicated the rest of his life to her care and well-being, and was always at Ilene's side. Memories of Norm- loving husband, dad, grandpa and great-grandpa, will remain with his family forever.
