Norman Fred Parmelee was born Feb. 11, 1941, in Missoula, and died peacefully in his home at the age of 74 on Sept. 28, 2015.
His parents were Evelyn and Fred Parmelee of Missoula, where the Parmelee family had deep roots, as well as the Stratton family and they were best of friends. So it was to be in June 1961 two childhood sweethearts, Norman Parmelee and Sharon Stratton were united in marriage. Soon there were six; Cheryle, Carrie, Norman Russell and Shawn were added to the family.
Norman graduated from Lincoln High School in Tacoma, Washington.
He joined the Army National Guard in 1968. He returned to Missoula where his father laid a trowel in his hands and he became a fourth generation brick and stone mason. Winters were tough in this trade, and when he heard of an opportunity as a brick layer tradesman in Columbia Falls, he moved his wife Sharon, and their first two children, Cheryle and Carrie, to the Flathead Valley in June of 1963.
It wasn’t long before they were putting down roots of their own in the middle of “God’s Country” near Glacier National Park, Flathead Lake, and the Big Mountain Ski Resort. Here is where Russell and Shawn were born.
Norm took a job working for CFAC which stands for Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. for 37 years. We all could spell it but it was hard to say correctly.
Norm and Sharon’s family enjoyed all the outdoor life the valley offered. Outdoor activities consisted of hunting everything, fishing, boating, golfing and horse shoes. Indoor activities were bowling, ping-pong, playing cards, chess, checkers, pool, and cribbage with friends and family. Norm’s children were raised camping, huckleberry picking, wood gathering and helping their father build three houses, and as result his two sons are contractors in the construction trade today.
The day he bought his tractor he declared loudly and proudly, “I am a farmer!” He began to farm his small acreage, putting up hay for his hobby farm career. He raised cows, horses, bunnies, chickens, pigs and always lots of dogs and cats, even ostriches at one time.
Gardening has always been a part of his life. Dahlias and Gladiolas were his most loved flowers grown in honor of his maternal Grandmother and Auntie. He loved all of the fresh vegetables, but especially loved to grow cucumbers to make pickles. He became the “Pickle King” of the family teaching us all to make pickles as a family tradition. Good or bad, his pickles were loved and shared.
Norm had a great sense of humor. He was a story teller and a leg puller causing children to squeal with delight.
Norm and Sharon enjoyed many years of traveling to visit family and friends including Bahamas, Canada and Mexico for years.
Norm has a sister, Karen Wilson of Tacoma, a deceased brother, Bill Bird, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews, all of whom he loved very much.
To his grandchildren he was fun loving, warm, sincere and enjoyed in all nine of them: Aaron and Monica and Stephanie Nordstrand, Joshua and Jesse Bosshardt, Kyler and Cassidie Parmelee, Brandi and Caleb Moser, Kristina and Katelyn Parmelee. He has one great grandson, Carter James Moser.
To his four children, Cheryle and Steve Nordstrand, Carrie and Jim Bosshardt, Norman Russell and Michelle Parmelee, Shawn and Corinna Parmelee, he was their rock. He was a strong, steady, courageous, gentle giant in their lives.
To his wife, Sharon, he was the love of her life for 54 years.
Norm’s family all loved him dearly and will continue to hold him in our hearts “till we see him again with the Lord.”
Norm had cancer but cancer never had him. For 18 long years he woke up thankful to be alive every day!
May he rest in peace.
A celebration of his life will be held at 3 p.m. on Oct. 10 at Calvary Chapel of Flathead Valley Church. The family requests that there be “NO FLOWERS” because of allergy concerns. Green plants are welcome. Please send memorials in his name to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Institute in Seattle, or to the Calvary Chapel of Flathead Valley Church in Kalispell.