Norbert Ewals

Norbert “Bill” Ewals, age 89, of McDonald Lake , Dent, MN, died Monday, February 1, 2010 , at his home.


Bill was born on May 8, 1920 , in New Rockford, ND, the son of Henry and Antoinette (Jensen) Ewals. Bill was one of twelve children. He was drafted into the US Army in July 1942 and served in WWII as a Staff Sergeant until November 1945. After serving in the Army he worked with the US Army Corps of Engineers in constructing the Garrison Dam. On June 5, 1947 , Bill married Ernestine “Erny” (Schaffer) at her parents’ home in Cando , ND . They then moved to Devils Lake , ND , where he was employed with the County Highway Department and Schultz and Lindsay Construction. In 1948 they moved to Moorhead , MN , where he became an employee of Northern States Power Company (NSP-Xcel Energy). Bill was promoted to the position of Master Machinist Mechanic at Prairie Island in Red Wing, MN, and retired in 1982 after 34 years.



Bill’s passions included providing for his family, taking care of his church and living in the home he built with Erny on McDonald Lake in Dent, MN. Bill was known for many of his talents from carpentry to mechanics and was always willing to help a friend.



Bill is survived by two children, Linda (Pat) Necas, Dent, MN; and Larry Ewals, Grand Forks, ND; three grandchildren, Rachel (Jeremy), Gilbert, AZ; and Amber and Billy, Grand Forks, ND; one great grandchild, Asher; a brother, Mert (Helen) Ewals, Pilot Mound, IA; and two sisters, Terry (Berthiaume), Minneapolis, MN; and Sister Bernice, Fargo, ND.



Preceding Bill in death are his parents; wife, Erny; brothers, Ray, Rob, Don, Ed, Herb and Clete; and sisters, Agnes and Marguerite.



Bill will be sadly missed by his family and friends.