Barbara M. Norby

Barbara Marilyn Hertsgaard Norby, age 88, passed away on May 23, 2025, at St. Alexis Hospital in Bismarck, North Dakota.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, June 13, 2025, at Lutheran Church of the Cross, 1004 E Highland Acres Rd, Bismarck. A livestream of the service will be available on the church’s website at https://churchofthecross.org/

Burial will be held at 2:00 PM, Monday, June 16, 2025 at Memorial Park North Cemetery, 1003 North 23rd St, Grand Forks.

She was born on October 13, 1936 to Halvor C. and Grace R. (Thoen) Hertsgaard in Fargo, North Dakota. She grew up on the family farm outside of Kindred, North Dakota and graduated from Kindred High School. She attended and graduated from the University of North Dakota with a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in 1958. She then moved to Hartford, Connecticut and worked in a mental health facility.

On May 31, 1959 Barbara married John K. Norby at the Kindred Lutheran Church. They made their home in Grand Forks, North Dakota where they worked for Norby's Department Store and raised 4 children.

Barbara held various positions within the family business including Teen Board Coordinator, Fashion Show Director and Personnel Manager. She was elected to the Grand Forks School Board in 1977 which allowed her to hand all 4 of her children their high school diplomas. She served as President of the school board from 1981to 1983.

In the fall of 1984, Barbara moved to Bismarck, North Dakota and joined the State School Board Association as the Assistant Director until her retirement.

Barbara's passions included music, church, and spending time with family; including mini-reunions at Pelican Lake for several years. She helped to raise a grandson with Cerebral Palsy and enjoyed hearing him sing in the church choir. She was a member of Lutheran Church of the Cross, North Dakota Chapter T of P.E.O., Franklin Club, A.A.U.W., and S.A.I.

Barbara is survived by her children George Norby, Bismarck; Floy Marx, Bismarck; Greg (Tammy) Norby, Arvada, CO; Lisa (Shawn) Vodden, Grand Forks, ND; her nine grandchildren Ben (Alexa) Norby, Kate (Ian) Hill, A.J. Marx, Jayden Norby, Danny Norby, Jessica Vodden, Thomas Vodden, Zachary Vodden, Patrick Vodden; great-grandchildren Aubree Burns, Emilee Burns, Titus Poitra, Emerson Hill, Archer Hill, Brycen Vodden, Weston Vodden; and her many nieces, nephews and their children.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John; her parents; sisters Corrine Stoneking, Helen Eldevick; brother Phil Hertsgaard; her in-laws George W Norby and Dorothy Norby Clarke; brothers-in-law George WP Norby, June Stoneking, Alvin Eldevick; sister-in-law Harriet Hertsgaard; nephews Philip Stoneking and Michael Eldevick.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Barbara's name to the charity of your choice.