Cover photo for Norm Kilpo's Obituary
Norm Kilpo Profile Photo

Norm Kilpo

January 26, 1931 — March 29, 2020

Norm Kilpo

Norman “Norm” Kilpo, age 89, resident of Lake Vermont, near Parkers Prairie and formerly of Duluth, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 29, 2020, holding his wife, Mary’s hand, at St. William’s Living Center in Parkers Prairie.

Services are pending per the Coronavirus-19 Pandemic.

Norm was born on January 26, 1931, to Nestor and Vieno (Jussila) Kilpo on a small farm north of Floodwood, Minnesota. He was the second oldest of four children.  In 1942, the family moved to Duluth where Norm attended public schools and graduated from Duluth Central High School in 1949. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1951, serving until his honorable discharge as a Staff Sergeant in 1955. Norm returned to Duluth and started working at National Iron Company in the engineering/estimating department.  Norm worked in sales estimating until 1965, at which time he was promoted to Sales Manager.  Norm was united in marriage to his best friend, Mary (Mary Jane) Jurvelin on December 18, 1980 in Duluth.  Following their marriage, they lived in Duluth until December of 1983, when they moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa for Norm’s job transfer.  They moved to their home on Lake Vermont, near Parkers Prairie in 1993.  Norm traveled extensively for his job and after 42 years in sales, retired in 1998.  He was an active member of Calvary Lutheran Church in Alexandria until his health declined.  He was a member of Golden K in Alexandria and was a former member of Parkers Prairie Lions Club. Norm enjoyed the time hunting at Cedar Valley and spending time with family.  He and Mary enjoyed listening to music, especially Neil Diamond. They also enjoyed watching PBS television shows, MSNBC, and golf. His hobbies included reading, golfing, cross country skiing, biking, and following Minnesota sports teams. He was an excellent gardener, was known for his tomato plants and being Mary’s prep cook.  A highlight of Norm’s was the trip of a lifetime to Finland. Norm was a loving father and great role model.

He was preceded in death by his parents; mother-in-law, Dorothy Jurvelin; sisters, Dorothy & Shirley; brother, Maurice; and daughter-in-law, Donna.

Norm is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Mary; deeply missed by his three sons, Larry Kilpo, Bob (Kären) Kilpo both of Duluth and Ken Kilpo of Los Angeles, California; daughter, Nancy Kilpo of Duluth; five grandchildren, Eric (Kristen), Kelsey (Forrest), Andy (Alison), Matt (Catie) and Aaron (Alli); four great-grandchildren; goddaughter, Katie (Ryan); along with many nieces, nephews, in-laws, and a host of friends.

Urnbearers are his grandchildren.

It is fitting to end his obituary with what Norm and Mary would always say to each other, “You & Me, Kid”.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Norm Kilpo, please visit our flower store.

Past Services

Family to do services at later date

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