Norlan Jerome Sorbo, age 81, of 2319 19th St. SW, Mason City, Iowa, died Saturday, Nov. 29, 2003, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

Memorial services were held 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., with the Rev. Thomas Healey, Chaplain, Hospice of North Iowa, officiating. Interment of Norlan and his wife Marjorie was in Memorial Park Cemetery. Full military rites were conducted by the Mason City Veterans Memorial Association. A gathering of family and friends was held at Major Erickson Funeral Home.

Memorials may be given to Hospice of North Iowa, the National World War II Veterans Memorial, or donor’s choice.

Norlan was born June 12, 1922, in Norman, Norway Township, Winnebago County, Iowa, the son of Knut N. and Matilda (Weblemoe) Sorbo. He was baptized as an infant at Silver Lake Lutheran Church, Northwood, and confirmed in 1937 at Emmons Lutheran Church, Emmons. He was educated in the Emmons School system. Norlan was. Inducted into the U.S. Army on Oct. 30, 1942, serving in the Central European Campaign during World War II. He was honorably discharged Jan. 12, 1946. On March 28, 1948, Norlan was united in marriage to Marjorie B. Olson at South Blue Earth Lutheran Church, Bricelyn. Their first home was in Albert Lea where Norlan worked as a mechanic. This was followed by a move to Emmons and Northwood where he farmed. They moved to Mason City in 1955 where he worked as a mechanic for various companies, including Holsum Bread Co., Ben Nelson Garage and Winnebago Industries in Forest City, Iowa. After retirement, he continued to work at NIACC and the IOOF Home in their maintenance departments. Norlan and Marjorie were blessed with three children: David Keith, LeAnn Marie and John Norlan. Norlan’s interests included fishing and camping. He knew no stranger, visiting with everyone and especially enjoying coffee with the guys at Pro’s, formerly Shill’s Maid-Rite. His family, friends and neighbors benefited from his abilities, as he repaired lawn mowers, snow blowers and other small engine equipment.

Norlan is survived by his children: David Sorbo and wife Sandie of Clinton. Mo., LeAnn Weaver and husband Charles Sr. of Mason City, and John Sorbo and wife Charlene of Holmen, Wis.; eight grandchildren: Troy Sorbo of Kansas City, Mo., Dawn Higgins and husband Casey of Deepwater, Mo., Charles Weaver Jr. of Ames, Iowa, Chad Weaver of Mason City, Jamie Miller and husband Jamin of Galesville, Wis., Jennifer Sorbo of Rochester, and Jonna and Jacqueline Sorbo of Holmen, Wis.; great-grandchild, Kalista Miller of Galesville, Wis.; sisters: Orva Sorenson of Albert Lea, and Myra Richardson of Woodstock; brother, Sidney Sorbo and wife Betty of Northfield; brother-in-law, James Adams of Lake Mills, Iowa; and many beloved in-laws, nieces and nephews.

Norlan was preceded in death by his parents; wife of 55 years, Marjorie; and sister, Maevis Adams.