Norman Vehrenkamp

Norman Vehrenkamp, age 79, of Stewartville, Minn., passed away peacefully on October 28, 2025, surrounded by his family. Born in Wykoff, Minn., on January 15, 1946, Norman was the youngest of six. He attended St. Johns parochial school and graduated from Wykoff High School where he played football, basketball and golf. He was a charming rascal who loved to have a good time and play pranks. He also loved cars including his souped-up red GTX Plymouth.

After high school, he married Mary Ann Ramaker and they had two kids. He followed his brother Marvin to IBM Rochester, where he began his career as a technician. Over time, he worked his way up to lead tech and was well liked by those who worked with and under him. He took great pride in his work and never turned down an overtime shift. After 29 years, he retired when IBM offered bridge retirement.

Outside of work, Norm loved building things like picnic tables, bar sets, and roller tables that now have homes with many of his family and friends. He was a fan of Willie, Waylon, and Cash, and was known to hustle a bit of pool now and then. Over the years, his GTO evolved into a series of Cadillacs, each kept spotless inside and out – with help from his kids, his trusted car washers.

His house was a gathering place for an interesting cast of characters – coming and going, playing pool after third shift, doing jobs and generally getting up to mischief. Crazy Ed, a parrot named Sam and a little dog named Tucker have all been characters in Norm’s story.

Norm was one of a kind; generous and loyal to his friends and family. Norm marched to the beat of his own drum and always did things his own way, whether or not they made sense to anyone else – even up to the very end.

Norm was preceded in death by his parents Ida and Ernest, and his three older sisters: Verna (Orlando) Dahle, Ruth (Harold) Paulson and Eleanor Vehrenkamp. 

He is survived by his daughter Lisa and her partner Richard, his son Jeff and his wife Rika, his brother Marvin and his wife Sharyn, and his sister, Marlys and her husband Norbert.

He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Stewartville.

A private funeral will be held November 6 and Norman will be buried in Fillmore Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Wykoff Commons (AKA Wykoff School).

Condolences may be left at www.hindtfuneralhomes.com.