- Date Of Birth: September 23, 1941
- Date Of Death: April 28, 2022
- State: Illinois
Bruce S. Norgard, 80, of rural Metamora, IL, passed away Thursday, April 28, 2022, at his home surrounded by his family. On September 23, 1941, he was born in Kansas City, MO, the son of the late Soren and Karen Pedersen Norgard.
He married Inez E. Busse on July 30, 1966, in Chicago, IL., and raised their daughters in Elmwood Park, IL. He owned a chicken take-out, delivered bread for Pepperidge Farm, and then worked the night shift for many years as a bus mechanic for the Chicago Transit Authority, from which he retired. Bruce, Inez, and his mother-in-law Edith moved to Metamora, IL, in 2001 to be near their daughters.
Surviving are his wife, two daughters Ellen (Terry) Forrest of Amery, WI, and Karen (Patrick) Coyle of Peoria, IL. Also surviving are six grandchildren, Ashley, Kate, and Brett Forrest, Kelly (Harlee), Coyle, Jonah, Grace Coyle, and one great-granddaughter Everette Grace Coyle. One nephew Casey (Cassie) Kalata and one great-niece, Paris Kalata also survives Bruce.
Bruce grew up in a close-knit family on the Southside of Chicago, surrounded by many aunts, uncles, and cousins. When he wasn’t working with his dad or uncle, he worked on cars with lifelong friend Harry Sorensen.
He served as a cook in the U.S. Coast Guard in New Jersey from 1962 until 1966.
Many weekends were spent sailing on Lake Michigan and later touring the country with the Buick Driving Enthusiasts in one of his many classic Buicks.
Bruce was always ready to tell a joke or talk Buicks with anyone he met and had a warm place in his heart for dogs, little kids, and seniors. His family enjoyed the many meals he cooked over the years. One of his recent joys was that he was able to meet some members of his birth family.
The family is grateful to his nephew Casey for his help in Bruce’s care and the loving hospice caregivers of VITAS Healthcare.
