Norman Heisler

Norman Heisler, 88 went to be with his Lord and his God on February 22, 2022 at Sanford Hospital in Fargo.  He was currently living in Fargo but had lived his whole life in the Devils Lake, Minnewaukan, and Esmond ND area.  Norman’s wife and family were able to be with him in the hours leading to his death as he listened to polka music and recordings of Daniel O’Donell.

He was born May 27, 1933 in rural Esmond to Steven and Mary Eva (Hager) Heisler.  He was raised on the family farm and attended country school and Esmond Public School.  In 1956, he married Donna Moran and they began farming near Esmond.  In 1964 they moved and took over the farm Donna was raised on Southwest of Minnewaukan near Stony Lake.  It was there they raised their family and he continued farming small grains and livestock until he retired. 

Norman’s favorite pastime was music and as a teenager he taught himself how to play accordion and piano.  In his youth he played with local polka bands at area dances and in later years with his keyboard in tow he entertained those in nearby nursing homes.  He was a member of St James Catholic Church in Minnewaukan where he served on the parish council and was a member of the Knights of Columbus for many years. He also served on the Aurora Township Board and was a trustee with the National Farmers Organization.  He loved rodeos, Westerns, bonfires, train rides, and trips to Duluth.  He was an armchair traveler and by watching the RFD channel he visited many places.  Making AND serving Redeye and Apple Pie was another of his joys and he was proud of his Germans from Russia heritage.  Norman owned more toolboxes than anyone and could fix most anything – or at least “make it better”.

In 2014, Norman and Donna moved to Devils Lake and in 2021 to Fargo.  He is survived by his wife of 65+ years Donna, his children: Becky (Larry) Audette of Fargo, Robert (Enza) Heisler of Chandler AZ, Mark (Lori) Heisler of Apple Valley MN, Darrin (Brenda) Heisler of West Fargo, Denise (Wyatt) Sabo of Reva SD, and Bradley (Jennifer) Heisler of Moorhead MN; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren, his sister Rosie of Wahpeton ND and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Tom, Frank, Leo, Edward, and William and his sister MaryAnn Schneider.

Visitation will be at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Monday, February 28^th from 6:00 p.m. until 7”00 p.m. with a Rosary, Scripture Service and time of remembrance at 7:0 p.m.   Funeral Mass at St Joseph Catholic Church Parish Center in Devils Lake at 10:00am on Tuesday March 1 with Rev C.F. Wilhelm celebrating the Mass.  Burial will be in St. James Catholic Cemetery, Minnewaukan ND in the spring. The funeral Mass will be live-streamed at facebook.com/stjosephdvl.