Phyllis M. Norby

Phyllis M. Norby, 99, of Mabel, formerly of rural Canton, died Monday, November 6, 2023, at Green Lea Senior Living in Mabel. 

Phyllis was born August 21, 1924, in Preble Township, near South Fork, to Peter and Margit (Sand) Rye. She attended South Fork school. On October 23, 1943, she married Walter Norby in Prosper, Minn.  They lived in Preble Township where they farmed and raised five children. For a time, Phyllis worked at Control Data in Spring Grove. In 1967, they moved to the Big Woods – where, in the late 1980s, they established the Big Woods Campground. There they hosted many trail rides and hog roasts on Labor Day weekend.

Phyllis was a member of the Scheie Lutheran Church where she was active with the Anna Circle and cooked many batches of rØmmegrØt for the annual Norwegian Supper. She enjoyed cooking, baking, gardening, canning, sewing and spending time with her family.

Phyllis is survived by four children: Anna (Larry) Soiney, Thomas (Sheila), Peter (Barb) – all of Canton, and Karen (Bob) Hilsman of New Hampton, Iowa; 12 grandchildren: Dan Norby, Dave (Karla Martin) Norby, Lori (Peter Gjere) Norby, Todd (Amy) Soiney, Kris (Mike) Banse, Troy (Trisha) Soiney, Angie (Tim Olson) Norby-Bennett, Holly (Bill) Cox, Melissa (Gary) Tlusty, Cheryl (Jess) Kuennen, Jason (Sunshine) Norby, and Jessi (Dane Saxon) Norby; 27 great grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren.  

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Walter, son Vernie, daughter-in-law Janice, granddaughter Riley, sisters Norma Rasmussen, Ardis Moen and Marjorie McManimon; and brothers Joseph and Ervin.

Memorial services will be 11 a.m., Monday, November 13 at Scheie Lutheran Church in rural Mabel.  Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be at the church one hour prior to services. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Alzheimer Association are preferred.