Norman
E. Minster, age 95, a lifelong Sheboygan
resident, passed away peacefully on February 16, 2018
.
He was born November 24, 1922, in Sheboygan to Rudi E.
and Norma E. (Stubenrauch) Minster. Norman attended Sheridan and US Grant Elementary
schools, graduating from North High School in 1941. During his school days he
was active in the Sheboygan Turners and the Boy Scouts.
While serving in the US Navy during World War II he
earned college credits at both Marquette University and the University of Notre
Dame thru the V12 program. After the war he received a BA from Valparaiso
University in 1947, and a BS in Architectural Engineering from the University
of Illinois in 1951, where he was a member of the National Honorary Gargoyle
Society for Architects.
On January 13, 1945, Norman and Marilyn Koss were united
in marriage at Trinity Lutheran Church. They were married for 69 years before
her passing in 2014.
After college, Norman worked for Ebenreiter Woodworking
Company in Sheboygan, and the architectural firm of Mark Pfaller and Assoc., in
Wauwatosa. In 1952 he joined Satre and Senescall, where he designed several
notable local projects, including Wilson School and educational buildings for
St. Andrew Lutheran Church and Bethany Reformed Church. In 1962 he started his
own architectural firm of Norman E. Minster, Inc., AIA. He designed many area
church and schools projects, including ImmanuelLutheran School and Oostburg’s First Reformed Church.
One of his company’s first projects was Luther Memorial Church, where he
remained a member until his passing.
Norman also designed many nursing homes throughout the
state, including Greendale and Meadow View Manor in Sheboygan and Pine Haven
Nursing Home in Sheboygan Falls. He designed local commercial buildings for
Ametek, the Sheboygan Paint Company, and the faux Bavarian style Zurheide Ice
Cream plant on Michigan Ave. He also designed and built his own home of
50 years on N. 7th Street. He took exceptional pride in his concept and
design of the Veteran's Memorial of Sheboygan County honoring those who have
served their country.
Beyond his architectural accomplishments were Norman’s
contributions to the community. He generously contributed his time to church,
civic, and professional organizations. He served as the president of the Luther
Memorial Church congregation and the American Luther Association. He was on the
founding committee and served on the board of the Deland Receiving Home and was
a founding member and president of the Sheboygan Chapter of People-to-People
International. He was on the Board of Directors of Sheboygan Memorial Hospital
and oversaw their major expansion project in 1977.
Norman was a member of the American Institute of
Architects and a Fellow of the Society of American Registered Architects,
receiving their highest award in 2002. He served as Secretary and later Vice
President of the Lake Michigan Regional Planning Council.
Norman and
his wife Marilyn shared a passion for travel. They took their young family on
trips around the country: from California to Boston, Washington DC to the Grand
Canyon. After their children left home, they traveled the world, enjoying several
trips to Europe, the Soviet Union, Japan and Southeast Asia, and Cuba. They eventually
took thirty-five oversea trips and made many new friends. Many eventually visited
them at their home in Sheboygan. They also hosted several foreign exchange
students over the years.
Norman is survived by his children: Roxanna (Donald)
Mueller of Sheboygan, Kirk Minster of Mooresville, IN, Joel (Susan) of Highland
Park, IL, Seth (Brenda) of Sheboygan, and Sara (Jerry) Gordon of Kohler, WI;
grandchildren Jennifer Fry, Christian Mueller, Scott Minster, Peter Minster,
Heidi (Aaron) Reinen, David Minster, Alex (Stephanie) Minster, Adam (Nicole)
Minster, Jeff Gordon, and Paul (Jennifer) Gordon; great grandchildren Quinn Fry,
Wesley and Wyatt Gordon, Emma Reinan and
Felicia Minster; and brother Robert Minster of Sheboygan.
Norman was preceded in death by his brother, Rudi
Minster and other relatives.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 22,
2018 at 2:00 p.m. at Luther Memorial Church, 12
th St.
and Eisner
Ave. Rev. Adam Barkley, Pastor, will
officiate. Visitation will begin at the
church at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday. There
will also be a time of visitation and support on Wednesday, February 21, 2018
at Ballhorn Funeral Chapels from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
A memorial fund has been established in Norman’s name
for Luther Memorial Church.
To sign the guestbook, please visit: www.ballhornchapels.com
