Norman Monroe HESS

It is with great sadness that the family of Norman Monroe Hess announces his passing on Friday, October 30, 2020 at the Elrose Health Center in Elrose, SK.

Norm was born on June 12, 1948 in Elrose, SK. He grew up on the family farm at Elrose and was actively involved in boy scouts, hockey, racing, mechanics and farming. After graduating from high school, Norm received a diploma in Agronomy at the University of Saskatchewan. He then moved home to work in the family farming business. It was at this time that he pursued his passion for building race cars and drag racing. Racing continued from the late 1960-1970s where he claimed a national record in 1974-1975 in his well-known car, Scrapper II. In the 1980s, Norm further pursued an interest in building and competing in tractor pulls across Western Canada. He was known by the racing community as “Stormin’ Norman”. All of his vehicles, including cars, boats, snowmobiles and even lawn mowers were designed to be fast. It was through the racing community where Norm met his wife, Marilyn Jean Moore from Saskatoon. On Nov 4, 1972 Norm and Marilyn were married at St. Thomas United Church in Saskatoon. In 1980, after retiring from a professional racing career, Norm opened Wheatland Industries, a farm equipment dealership in Elrose. He loved serving the local farming communities. Norm was an avid Mason, Shriner and lifelong member of the Lions Club. He was very involved with the community, donating to various events and sports teams, as well as serving on many different committees and councils. Norm loved travelling, camping, boating, fishing, golfing, restoring hot rods, attending sporting activities with his kids and grandkids and spending time at the family cottage at the Saskatchewan Landing.

He is survived by his wife Marilyn Hess, daughter Angela (Mike) Baerwald, son Kenneth (Vanessa) Hess and brother Vaughan (Barb) Hess, grandchildren Shauna (Liam) Hingston, Alyssa Thompson, Ella and Preston Baerwald and Alexa Hess, great-grandchildren Carrie, Gabriella and Tatiana Hingston and Tristan Thompson. He was predeceased by his parents Kenneth and Iva Hess, sister Shelley Hess, daughter Charlene Wall and grandson Jackson Baerwald.

Norm was a very giving and loving husband, father, and grandfather. After a long and difficult battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, he is at peace. Norm’s enthusiasm for life and contagious laugh will be deeply missed. A heartfelt thank-you is extended to the staff at the Elrose Health Center for the exceptional care he received and to the community of Elrose and surrounding areas for their support.

A celebration of Norm’s life will be held for family and friends at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made, in Norman’s name to the Royal University Hospital Foundation - Saskatchewan Movement Disorders Program (website: ruhf.org; address: 103 Hospital Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0W8).