Obituaries : Anders Jensen Norgaard

Anders Jensen Norgaard, 79, of Belle Plaine, Iowa, passed away after a sudden illness on Sept. 3, 2023, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. He was surrounded by his loving wife and children.

Anders was born June 4, 1944, in Iowa City, Iowa, to Lt. Col. Jens A. Norgaard and Mary Jo (Silvy) Norgaard. He spent the majority of his childhood in Northwest Indiana. He later went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree from the University of Iowa Business College in 1966.

Anders joined the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. He was deployed to Nakhon Phanon, Thailand; Bitburg, Germany; then later to Soesterberg Air Force Base, The Netherlands. He served as an Air Maintenance Officer for the 32nd Tactical Fighter Squadron. It was there where he met and married his wife of 50 years, Geraldine Zimmermann, on April 7, 1973.

Upon their return to the U.S., Anders pursued the field of law and received a Juris Doctorate from the University of Iowa, College of Law in 1976. He spent over 47 years practicing law in Belle Plaine, Iowa, and loved every minute of it. His family, his staff, his clients and the community were always top priority. In addition, he spent over 30 years on the bench as a rural Magistrate in Benton County, Iowa. He completed over 20 years of service in the Air Force while serving with the 182nd Tactical Air Support Group of the Illinois Air National Guard, along with his post as liaison officer to the United States Air Force Academy. He retired as a lieutenant colonel.

Anders was active in the surrounding community and held membership in several organizations, including the American Legion Post 39, Knights of Columbus (4th Degree Knight), Belle Plaine Rotary (former President), Congenial Hundred Ballroom Dance Club and Old Capital Dance Club. He was also an active member of St. Michael Catholic Church. He loved spending quality time with his family, and his spirit and laughter will be forever missed by all.

He is survived by his wife, Geraldine; children, Jens (Autumn) Norgaard, Nicole (Chris) Niederman, Sven Norgaard and Bjorn (Lar) Norgaard; along with siblings, James Norgaard, Mary Norgaard, Ann Michels and Jenise Filiatrault; 11 grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

The Norgaard family wishes to thank the whole staff at Anders J. Norgaard P.C. Law Office; Marcia Kucera, Corinne McGrew, Carolyn Silhanek and Lori Dunning; for their support and dedication throughout the years. The family would also like to thank University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for their exceptional care given to Anders.

Visitation is at Hrabak-Neuhaus Funeral Home in Belle Plaine, 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8, with rosary at 3:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, at St. Michael Catholic Church, Belle Plaine. Funeral Mass will be officiated by Father Andrews and assisted by Deacon Joe Behounek.

Luncheon will follow the service at St. Michael Catholic Church from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Burial service with military honors at 3 p.m. at St. Joseph Cemetery, Iowa City, Iowa. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.neuhausfuneralservice.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations to be sent to the Belle Plaine Ambulance Service, St. Michael Catholic Church in Belle Plaine or the Wounded Warrior Project in the memory of Anders J. Norgaard. www.woundedwarriorproject.org [woundedwarriorproject.org