Norman Henry Vissering, 94, went home to heaven on May 22, 2026 at Valley View Villa in Fort Morgan, Colorado.

Norm was born March 7, 1932 in Flanagan, Illinois to Herman and Wilma Vissering. He was the third child in a family of six sons and two daughters. He graduated from Flanagan High School in 1950 and married Doris McClure in 1952.  Norm served in the Army in Korea 1952-1953, and during that time got word that his first son had been born.  Two daughters and another son were later added to the family and were raised in the Kingsford, Michigan area.  Norm's life was busy with his masonry business, building a home, rearing his children, and hunting deer and other wildlife.

In 1982 Norm's life entered a new chapter. Living alone in the UP of Michigan in the dead of winter, Norm was invited by a friend to come work for him on construction jobs in Hawaii.  Meanwhile Linda Lauck, a Bible translator working in the Patep language in Papua New Guinea (PNG), was at the University of Hawaii for an MA in linguistics.  They met at church and soon became interested in each other.  When Linda returned to Papua New Guinea Norm went to visit her and found that there was a need for someone like him with construction and masonry skills.  He was accepted as a missionary with Wycliffe Bible Translators and moved to Papua New Guinea in 1983.  Norm was involved in training nationals, helping with construction projects in various parts of the country, and building unique fireplaces in several homes at the mission center.  Norm and Linda were married there in 1985. From 1987-1996 Norm and Linda managed a small translation center in another part of PNG, where part of Norm's job was meeting boats, small mission planes, and a helicopter transporting the mission personnel.

In 1996 Norm and Linda moved to a suburb of Chicago to serve at a regional center of Wycliffe Bible Translators, where Norm did grounds and other maintenance on the 13-acre property.  During that time he was introduced to beekeeping and enjoyed that interesting hobby for the next 25 years.  In 2015 Norm retired, and he and Linda moved to Fort Morgan, Colorado to care for Linda's mother.  Norm remained active with a garden and other projects, hunting, and enjoyed keeping in touch with family and friends on the phone.

Norm had a deep faith in Jesus and was quite ready for God to call him home to heaven.  He was a hard-working, cheerful and godly man.

Survivors include his wife of 41 years, Linda; children Dennis (Kathi) Vissering of Iron River, MI, Christy (Tom) Knutson of Marinette, WI, Jody Hasenoehrl of Lewiston ID, and Scott (Wendy) Vissering of Tacoma, WA; 10 grandchildren, and 18 great grandchildren.  Survivors also include his brother Wendell (Linda) Vissering, sisters Marie Madson and Carol Zoll, and sister-in-law Colette Vissering, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Norm was preceded in death by his parents, brother Logan and wife Doris, brother Glen and wife Sally, brother Darold and wife Shirley, brother Gary, and brothers-in-law Gary Zoll and Dick Madson.

A memorial service will be held at 11am on Thursday, June 11 at Immanuel Evangelical Church in Fort Morgan.  There will be a private inurnment at Serenity Falls Columbarium in the afternoon.  Memorial gifts can be given to Immanuel Evangelical Church or Wycliffe Bible Translators.