Mass of Christian burial will be 11 am on Monday, October 19, 2020, at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm. Monsignor Eugene Lozinski will celebrate the Mass, and burial will follow in the New Ulm Catholic Cemetery in New Ulm where the New Ulm Area Comrades of Valor Honor Guard will provide full military honors.

Visitation will be from 9-11 am on Monday at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home-North Chapel in New Ulm.

Social distancing guidelines must be practiced, and all guests in attendance at the visitation and funeral will be required to wear a mask.

To leave an online condolence for his family, or to sign the guestbook, go to: mvfh.org

Norb is survived by his wife of 64 years, Elizabeth “Betty” Portner of New Ulm; his daughters, Ann (Thomas C.) Seifert of New Ulm, Lisa Portner of New Ulm, Mary (Gary) Erbes of Marshall; his son, Steven E. Portner of New Ulm; his grandchildren, Julie (Kyle) Kluever, Bryan Seifert, Nicholas Erbes, Casey Erbes; great-grandson, Miles Kluever; sisters, Marie Sprenger of New Ulm, Betty Gleisner of New Ulm, Doris (Al) Drage of Evan; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary and Edward Portner; his son, Norbert B. Portner; his sisters, Loretta Krzmarzik, Marcella Doyle; infant sister, Bernice Portner; and his brothers, Harry, Ervin, Robert, and Dennis Portner.

Norbert “Norb” Meinard Portner was born December 15, 1932, in Essig to Edward and Mary (Ubel) Portner. He attended country school near Essig and later worked on his family’s farm. Norb proudly served his country from 1950-1954 in the U.S. Army during the time of the Korean War. Norb was united in marriage to Elizabeth “Betty” Homan on September 26, 1956, at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Fairfax. This union was first blessed with two sons who were raised in Washington state where Norb worked at Boeing Aircraft. The couple was later blessed with three daughters who together with the family were raised in New Ulm. Norb owned and operated Norb’s Monument Setting where with his family by his side, they set many of the area’s cemetery monuments and memorials. Besides his work there were a variety of hobbies that brought him joy in life. There was very little he couldn’t fix or repair and could often times be found tinkering on a project. As an avid outdoorsman, he loved spending time in the woods hunting or fishing on our area’s lakes and rivers. Later in life, Norb enjoyed doing yardwork. Many laughs were shared and memories made playing cards with friends, and attending local ballroom dances with his wife Betty. Norb was quite proud of his 41 years of sobriety. He was a devout and dedicated member of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm where he was active in the St. Joseph/St. Elizabeth Catholic United. Norb was also a proud member of the local Disabled American Veterans organization. His ability to be quick with a joke and his terrific sense of humor will be remembered by all who knew him. Although Norb enjoyed his hobbies and his work, his family always came first. He cherished every moment he got to spend with his family and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandson. These memories and countless others will forever stay in the hearts and minds of those who had the pleasure of knowing him. Blessed be those memories.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

Mvfh.org

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