Obit: Bhend, Norman T. (1933 - 2014)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Bhend, Ewan, Matt

----Source: The Record - Review (Abbotsford, WI) 1/15/2014

Bhend, Norman T. (28 FEB 1933 - 13 JAN 2014)

Norman T. Bhend, Town of Johnson, died Jan 13, 2014.

Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 16, 2014, at Christ United Church, Athens, with full military honors conducted by the Athens American Legion. Burial will be at Pilgrims Rest Cemetery, town of Johnson, at a later date. Friends may call on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be given in Norman's name to the Christ United Church memorial fund, Athens, Wisconsin.

Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com

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----Source: The Peterson & Kraemer Funeral Home (Athens, WI) Online obituary

Norman T. Bhend, Town of Johnson, died Jan 13, 2014.

Norman was born Feb 28, 1933 in the Town of Johnson, son of the late Eugene and Adeline (Gaiser) Bhend. Norman graduated from Athens High School.

After high school, Norman joined the Air Force and was stationed at bases located in Texas, Mississippi, and Florida, where he was a jet aircraft mechanic. After returning home, he farmed with his parents and two of his brothers, Arnold and Harold, in the Town of Johnson, later forming Bhend Brothers, Inc. with his two brothers in 1969. Norman was active in sports and enjoyed playing fast-pitch softball and bowling in local leagues. He also was a member and past commander with the American Legion Chapman-Belter Post No. 4, Athens and a member of Christ United Church, serving on the church council and as treasurer. Norman was also a member of the Athens School Board.

During his time as a school board member, he met his future wife, Marilyn Matt. Norman and Marilyn were married at Christ United Church in Athens, Wisconsin on June 8, 1968, and have two sons, David and John. Norman also enjoyed flying, obtaining his private pilot's license in 1969, and he flew and owned a Cessna 150 for 25 years, for 17 years of which he flew out of a sod landing strip located on the family farm. He was a long time member of the Experimental Aircraft Association, attending the annual convention at Oshkosh for over 30 years and was also a long time member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

Norman is survived by his wife Marilyn Bhend, Athens and two sons David Bhend, Athens, and John Bhend, Renton Washington, nieces and nephews. Beside his parents, Norman was preceded in death by his three brothers, Arnold E. Bhend, Raymond E. Bhend, Harold R. Bhend and one sister, Grace A. Ewan.

Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 16, 2014 at Christ United Church, Athens, with full military honors conducted by the Athens American Legion. Burial will be at Pilgrims Rest Cemetery, town of Johnson, at a later date. Friends may call on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be given in Norman's name to the Christ United Church memorial fund, Athens, Wisconsin.

Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com