Norman Sears

Monday, July 4, 2011, Norman George Sears, 72, of Alamo, Texas, passed away at the McAllen Medical Center in McAllen, Texas, due to complications caused by a massive stroke he suffered on November 2, 2010.

He was born to the late George and Gladys (McLaird) Sears on August 31, 1938, in Lake Benton, Minnesota. Norman attended grade school in Lake Benton and graduated from Lake Benton High School in 1956. On September 21, 1958, Norman married the love of his life, Barbara VanDrunen in Tyler, Minnesota at the Alliance Bible Church.

In 1961, Norman received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. Upon graduation, he started his career as a Civil Engineer with the State of Minnesota within the Highway Department. Norman switched his career path and began his Federal Civil Service career with the USDA, Forest Service in Missoula, Montana in 1963. This career path took him and his family from Missoula, Montana to Grangeville, Idaho to Washington, D.C. onto Milwaukee, Wisconsin and eventually back to Washington D.C. where he ended his career. In 1994, Norman and Barbara retired to Lake Benton, Minnesota. They eventually found their way to Alamo, Texas where they were currently residing when Norman passed away.

Outside of his career, Norman was involved within his community. As a young boy, he was a member of the Boy Scouts and was active in school activities. Once retired, Norman became a member of the Lake Benton School Board and sat on the Board of Directors of ITC, the local telephone company. As a church member, Norman was a leader in the Awana youth program; a Church Deacon; served as a member of many Church building committees; and, also supervised the construction of a large Christian grade school in Watertown, Wisconsin.

In his free time, Norman enjoyed sharing his many stories of Lake Benton with friends, family or to whomever would listen. He also loved to spend time with his family, particularly his grandchildren, taking them on many trips. He enjoyed gardening, bird watching and working with his hands.

Norman is survived by his wife, Barbara; his son and his wife, David and JoEllen (Kory) Sears of Fredericksburg, Virginia; his daughter and her husband, Kathryn and Nicholas Maas of Bolivar, Missouri; and daughter, Annette Sears of Alamo, Texas. Norman is also survived by five grandchildren; Megan, Amy and Peter Sears; and Katlyn and Samuel Maas. He is further survived by nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends. In addition to his parents,

Norman is preceded in death by his younger siblings; his sister Faye Hares and his brother Raymond Sears.

A memorial service for Norman George Sears will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 13, 2011, at the First Baptist Church of Lake Benton where Norman was a member. Pastor Mark Fish will be officiating. Prior to the Memorial Service, the family will have a private interment at the Lake Benton Cemetery.

A tree will be planted in memory of Norman on the Nature Trail within his community of Alamo, Texas.