In Memory of Norman W. Pfaltzgraff

Norman W. Pfaltzgraff, age 83, of Elk Point, South Dakota formerly of Ida Grove, Iowa, passed away Thursday, December 15, 2016, at his residence of Elk Point, South Dakota.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December 22, 2016 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Father Richard D. Ball will officiate. Private family interment will be held in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery of Ida Grove, Iowa.  No Visitation will be held. The Christensen - Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.christensenvanhouten.com

Norman W. Pfaltzgraff was born on September 21, 1933, in Dumont, Iowa, to Jacob and Edna (Matthews Van Houten) Pfaltzgraff . He was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith. He attended school at Dumont, Iowa and graduated with the class of 1951. While he was in High School, Norman participated in many sports including basketball, baseball, softball and bowling. Norman was united in marriage to the love of his life Barbara    Folbrecht on September 5, 1953 in Hampton, Iowa. They had five children: Scott, Mary, Teresa, Janet and Patrick. They were married 60 years prior to Barbara’s passing on December 18, 2012. 

Normans first job after graduating was working for Chicago Northwestern Railroad as a telegraph operator. Norman started working in the insurance business in New Hartford, Iowa in 1963 where he worked for several years. He then relocated to Ida Grove, Iowa in 1966 where he managed Ida Mutual. He managed Ida Mutual until his retirement. While managing Ida   Mutual, he was joined by John McMahan, and Pfaltzgraff and McMahn Insurance was started. Later the business became Pfaltzgraff and Fick Insurance agency. Norman worked a total of 42 years in the insurance business until his retirement at the age 65. He was on the Board of Directors for Grinnell Mutual and served as Chairman of the board for several years. Norman  was also on the Ida Grove City council and a member of the Chamber of Commerce. He was active in the Catholic Church as well.    

Norman enjoyed hunting, fishing and golfing. He was a avid sports fan and enjoyed following the Ida Grove high school sporting events until he moved to Elk Point S.D. 3 years ago. You could find Norman at home most days watching college and professional sports. At the top of his list was his LOVE for the Iowa Hawkeyes.  His favorite statement was “GO HAWKS" especially when other hawkeye fans were around. 

Left to cherish his memory are his loving children: Teresa and husband Steve Lagge of Elk Point SD, Janet and husband Craig Limoges of Elk Point SD, and Patrick and wife Amanda (Thompson) of Littleton Co., 20 grandchildren, and 27 great- grandchildren and 1 great great-grandchild. 

Norman was preceded in death by his parents, Jacob and Edna Pfaltzgraff; wife, Barbara Pfaltzgraff; son, Scott Pfaltzgraff; daughter, Mary Smith; son-in law, John Schwaller Sr.; and all of his siblings.