Obituary for Ronald Oliver Norgaard
Ronald Norgaard, 89, passed away on June 9, 2023, in Stillwater, Oklahoma, leaving behind countless testaments of a life well lived and people well loved. There will be a private family gathering held at a later date. Strode Funeral Home and Cremation is in charge of the arrangements.
Ron was born to the late Oliver Norgaard and Hilda Hegg on September 18, 1933. Ron was raised in Hatton, North Dakota. In 1948, the family moved to California. After graduating from Pamona High School, Ron attended Mount San Antonio College and played third base on the baseball team-so began his life-long love of sports.
Ron put college on hold, and he enlisted in the United States army. Ron traveled to military bases in Guam, Japan, and the Philippines. One picture shows him situated high on a tank in Guam. But he was the first to admit, his storied military career was mostly spent playing baseball on the base. Nevertheless, his service to the country and community didn't end after his stint in the army. Later in life, Ron was President of the United Way, on the Board of Directors at Stillwater Medical Center, served on the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, March of Dimes, YMCA, President of the Stillwater County Club -you name it, Ron was willing to serve.
It was early 1954 back in California when he met the love of his life, Gayla Sue Lamb, the two were married June 13, 1954, in Reno, Nevada. Ron and Gayla moved to Oklahoma to be closer to Gay's family. Just after moving to Oklahoma, Ron and Gay welcomed their two daughters, Robin and Rikki and raised them in Stillwater Oklahoma.
Ron got his Geology degree from Oklahoma City University and began work as a comptroller for Liberty National Bank. Ron worked his way up to VP of Accounting before the family moved to Stillwater where Ron continued his career in banking as Senior VP at First National Bank & Trust Co., President at University Bank, and Executive VP at First National.
Ron was a die-hard Oklahoma State fan, where he proudly sent both of his girls. Ron and Gay attended every OSU sporting event as possible. He preferred a glass of red wine, no matter the weather. He loved golf, and spent countless days on the Stillwater Country Club course. It's a love he shared with his son-in-law, Paul, even attending the Masters together.
He relished his role as Papa to his six grandchildren! For each, he was a fixture at sports games and even practices. He even endured several dance recitals. But to be sure, supporting his grandkids was a great joy of his life. Papa loved the times we could get the whole family together and he was there when all six grandkids married people they love.
In his final days, He proudly became a great-grandpa to Collins, Greer, Garrison, Perry, Cameran, William, Hadlee, and Nicholas. He enjoyed almost 70 beautiful years of marriage to Gayla.
Ron was predeceased by his sister DeVere Kraus and son-in-law Paul Belflower.
Ron is survived by his wife Gayla (Lamb) Norgaard; daughters Robin Belflower, and Rikki Pittman and husband Randy; six grandchildren Kylee Glaser and husband John, Ryan Pittman and wife Summer, Adam Belflower and wife Alexandria, Baylee Hoffman and husband Nathan, Rainey Cangialosi and husband Michael, and Rylee Pinter and husband Andrew; eight great grandchildren Greer Pittman, Collins Pittman, Perry Pittman, Garrison Glaser, Cameran Glaser, Hadlee Hoffman, William Cangialosi and Nicholas Cangialosi.
We will deeply miss Ron-an incredible husband, father, and "Papa."
Ron was born to the late Oliver Norgaard and Hilda Hegg on September 18, 1933. Ron was raised in Hatton, North Dakota. In 1948, the family moved to California. After graduating from Pamona High School, Ron attended Mount San Antonio College and played third base on the baseball team-so began his life-long love of sports.
Ron put college on hold, and he enlisted in the United States army. Ron traveled to military bases in Guam, Japan, and the Philippines. One picture shows him situated high on a tank in Guam. But he was the first to admit, his storied military career was mostly spent playing baseball on the base. Nevertheless, his service to the country and community didn't end after his stint in the army. Later in life, Ron was President of the United Way, on the Board of Directors at Stillwater Medical Center, served on the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, March of Dimes, YMCA, President of the Stillwater County Club -you name it, Ron was willing to serve.
It was early 1954 back in California when he met the love of his life, Gayla Sue Lamb, the two were married June 13, 1954, in Reno, Nevada. Ron and Gayla moved to Oklahoma to be closer to Gay's family. Just after moving to Oklahoma, Ron and Gay welcomed their two daughters, Robin and Rikki and raised them in Stillwater Oklahoma.
Ron got his Geology degree from Oklahoma City University and began work as a comptroller for Liberty National Bank. Ron worked his way up to VP of Accounting before the family moved to Stillwater where Ron continued his career in banking as Senior VP at First National Bank & Trust Co., President at University Bank, and Executive VP at First National.
Ron was a die-hard Oklahoma State fan, where he proudly sent both of his girls. Ron and Gay attended every OSU sporting event as possible. He preferred a glass of red wine, no matter the weather. He loved golf, and spent countless days on the Stillwater Country Club course. It's a love he shared with his son-in-law, Paul, even attending the Masters together.
He relished his role as Papa to his six grandchildren! For each, he was a fixture at sports games and even practices. He even endured several dance recitals. But to be sure, supporting his grandkids was a great joy of his life. Papa loved the times we could get the whole family together and he was there when all six grandkids married people they love.
In his final days, He proudly became a great-grandpa to Collins, Greer, Garrison, Perry, Cameran, William, Hadlee, and Nicholas. He enjoyed almost 70 beautiful years of marriage to Gayla.
Ron was predeceased by his sister DeVere Kraus and son-in-law Paul Belflower.
Ron is survived by his wife Gayla (Lamb) Norgaard; daughters Robin Belflower, and Rikki Pittman and husband Randy; six grandchildren Kylee Glaser and husband John, Ryan Pittman and wife Summer, Adam Belflower and wife Alexandria, Baylee Hoffman and husband Nathan, Rainey Cangialosi and husband Michael, and Rylee Pinter and husband Andrew; eight great grandchildren Greer Pittman, Collins Pittman, Perry Pittman, Garrison Glaser, Cameran Glaser, Hadlee Hoffman, William Cangialosi and Nicholas Cangialosi.
We will deeply miss Ron-an incredible husband, father, and "Papa."