Mass of Christian Burial, with Fr. Alan Dietzenbach officiating, will be at 11:00am, Friday, May 31, 2024, at St. Henrys Catholic Church in Marshalltown, with visitation one hour prior at 10:00am. Inurnment with be at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens in Marshalltown, IA.

Norman was born on January 23, 1933 in Clinton, IA to Gertrude Serafin Pete and Toney Pete, graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic High School and enlisted in the US Navy. He proudly served on the USS Wasp and fought in the Korean War. After an honorable discharge in 1956, he moved to Davenport and attended St. Ambrose University. During this time, he met one of his great loves, Margery Anne Forge. They married on August 30, 1958 where Norman began his accounting career as a certified internal auditor with International Harvester. They later moved to the Chicago area until starting with Fingerhut relocating them to Minnetonka, MN. In 1979, Norman and Margery achieved Norman’s lifelong goal of being a business owner by moving to Sioux City, IA and owning and operating Coast to Coast Hardware in the Morningside area. After selling the business in 1994, they moved to Marshalltown to be closer to some of the children and grandchildren. In 2003, Margery lost her battle with cancer and Norman re-connected with a college friend of Margery’s, Corinne DeBo, who would become another of his great loves. They married in August 7, 2004 and resided in Rock Island, IL. He was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church prior to living out his final months in Marshalltown being closer to his children.

Norman loved a “good” dad joke, glass of red wine, his first cup of coffee, sourdough bread and reading the Wall Street Journal. He enjoyed dancing, especially the jitterbug or polka, the walleyes biting, gardening, watching the Minnesota Vikings and was a lifelong Iowa Hawkeyes and Chicago Cubs fan. His greatest desire was leaving a legacy to his children and grandchildren and passing along his great love of dogs. He always said that life was better with a dog!

He is survived by his wife Corinne DeBo Pete; children, Karen (Steve) Mroz, Matthew (Cindy) Pete, Susan (David) Gaffney, and Kristina (Stacia) Pete-Swanson; grandchildren, Thomas (Stacey) Mroz, Kathryn (Mike) Western, Sarah (Adam) Bergeson, Jacob (Courtney) Mroz, Annie (Tanner) Vander Weerdt, Justin (Kierstyn) Laffoon, Tony Pete, Andrew (Emily) Gaffney, Megan Gaffney, Shea Swanson, and Eavan Swanson; 16 great grandchildren; Corinne’s children, Teri (Elmo) Wright, Pam (Chris) Ontiveros, Matt (Colleen) DeBo, and Cindy (Greg) Steckel; his devoted beagle, Molly; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Margery; sister Evelyn Nethery; brother, Stephen Pete.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Animal Rescue League of Marshalltown located at 1921 Taylor Avenue, Marshalltown, IA 50158.