Norman L. Girard

SIOUX CITY -- Norman L. Girard, 72, of Cowdrey, Colo., formerly of Sioux City, died Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008, in Cowdrey from a sudden heart attack.

Services will be 11 a.m. Friday, January 9, 2009 at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel, with the Rev. Matthew Miller officiating. Burial will be in Elk Point Cemetery, Elk Point, S.D. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Norman was born April 4, 1936, in Elk Point, the son of Alphonse and Evelyn (Crane) Girard. After his birth, the family lived in California for five years before returning to Elk Point in 1941. He graduated from Elk Point High School. He moved to Sioux City shortly after graduating from high school and lived here until moving to Cowdrey in 1993.

He married Jeanne LaBrune on Jan. 1, 1954, in Ida Grove, Iowa. Together, they had six children. Jeanne passed away April 21, 1976, in Sioux City. He married Esther Wolfe on Sept. 3, 1977, in Sioux City. He completed his family by adopting her three children.

He drove truck for Palmer Fruit beginning in 1954. He joined the Sioux City Police Department on March 1, 1962, and retired April 4, 1991. The couple moved to Cowdrey in April 1993.

He was a member of the Iowa Policemen's Association. He was a member of the Jackson County (Colo.) Council on Aging. He served as president of the Jackson County Medical Board for several years. He enjoyed auto racing, especially open-wheel, and carpentry.

Survivors include his wife, Esther Girard of Cowdrey; his children and spouses, Machelle and Clayton Nagel, Maurice and Cheryl Girard, Manette and Chris Palmer, Marcus and Mary Girard, Marshall Girard and special friend, Tammy, Monica Lea, Patty and Pat Brockhaus, Matt Girard and special friend, Lorren, Marc Girard and special friend, Stacey; a sister and her husband, Janice and Gale Jessip; grandchildren, Brian and Todd Huismann, Monty and Missy Girard, Heather and Bart Zediker, Dan and Nick Palmer, Alphonse Girard and special friend, Jody, Katherine and William Lea, Alyssa and Katelyn Brockhaus; great-grandchildren, Kayleigh Barrett, Krimson and Bryton Girard, Christopher, Cailey and Celsey Huismann, Jadyn, Rylie and Chase Zediker; and a nephew and his wife, Brent and Lori Jessip.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his first wife, Jeanne.

Pallbearers will be Brian Huismann, Todd Huismann, Monty Girard, Heather Zediker, Dan Palmer, Nick Palmer, Alphonse Girard, Adam Girard, Alyssa Brockhaus and Katelyn Brockhaus.

Memorials may be made in his name to Jackson County Council on Aging, P.O. Box 861, Walden, CO. 80480