Obituary

June 25, 2019

Norman Russell Underdahl

Norman R. Underdahl, age 101 of Lincoln, NE. died June 21, 2019.  He was born in Freeborn County Minnesota on June 5, 1918 to Knut and Maria (Stoa) Underdahl.  Graduate of Austin Central High School, St. Olaf College and the University of Minnesota.  Married Bernice Nagle at Austin, Minnesota in 1948.

Norman enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942, completed Boot Camp at San Diego and was assigned to Lion One in June.  Lion One was sent to the New Hebrides in the South Pacific to build an advanced naval base with an aviation repair, a floating dry dock for ship repair and a 500 bed base hospital.  Served at the hospital and returned in 1944 to San Diego and was assigned to the Epidemiology Team for the 9th Naval District and was discharged as a Pharmacist-Mate 1/C at Minneapolis on New Year’s Eve 1945.

Employed as a microbiologist (9 years) at the Hormel Institute at Austin, MN, (a branch of the University of Minnesota), professor at UNL (28 years) in the Department of Veterinary Science, retired in 1983.  Authored or co-authored numerous papers and chapters in books on swine diseases.  Published book on “Specific Pathogen Free Swine”.

Charter member of: St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, served as a deacon and council member; Gamma Sigma Delta; Sigma XI; American Veterinary Medical Association; American Society for Microbiology; Nebraska Specific Pathogen-Free Swine Association; Association for Gnotobiotic Animal Research; Conference of Research Workers on Animal Diseases; North Central #13 and later NC62 Committee on swine diseases (Nebraska representative for 22 years); American Legion Post #3; Who’s Who in Nebraska and Who’s Who in the Midwest.

Survivors: Daughter and son-in-law, Kimbra Underdahl and Ricky Simmons.   Numerous nieces and nephews.  Preceded in death by his wife Bernice, parents, sisters Hazel Christiansen, Beatrice Johnson and Esther Fryer.  Brothers Orville, Willie, Clair, Kermit and Walter Underdahl.

Services will be at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, June 28, 2019 at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 1015 Lancaster Ln.  Lincoln.

Visitation will be at Wyuka Funeral Home, Thursday, June 27th from Noon until 8:00 P.M. with family greeting friends from 6:00-7:00 P.M.

Memorials to the family.

7 Comments

  1. Kim and Ricky- I am so sorry for your loss of such a great man. I thank the Lord for bringing all of you into my life, and getting to know you. I am happy thinking about the fact that your dad is celebrating and having fun with his mom and dad and brothers and sisters. Take care, hugs and prayers. Sally

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  2. So sorry for your loss. Your dad was an impressive man, and I’m sure you’ll miss him very much. Peace be with you.

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  3. Marv and Marlys:
    Your Dad was a special man and we will miss him a lot. He left us with treasured memories.

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  4. Dear Kim,
    I get a news feed from Lincoln on a regular basis and learned of your dad’s recent death. Oh my… 101 years old. Still, it is hard to lose a parent, no matter the age. I read that your mother has also passed away. My sincere sympathy to you as you adjust to Norm’s death. I hope he didn’t suffer.
    [We now live in Portland, Oregon, a lovely place.]

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  5. To Kim and family,
    My parents and I were also charter members of St. Andrews. There aren’t many left. Your dad (and mom too) were such nice people. Your mom helped serve at my wedding reception in 1975. Your dad lived a very long and fulfilling life! My sympathy to you! As an only child also, losing our parents is the end of saying remember when to close family. Keep your memories close!
    Cindy Brotzman Hilsabeck

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  6. My heart is with you today. Great memories of a great uncle. Prayers for strength in the days ahead. Cindy

    Reply
  7. My heart is with you today. Thinking of you all

    Reply

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