Norbert “Norbe” Norman Barrie, 87, of Turton, SD, passed away peacefully on January 1, 2020, at Avantara in Redfield, SD. A service and celebration of life will be held in Turton in June 2020, during the St. John’s day weekend. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hyke Funeral Home of Redfield. (www.hykefuneralhome.com)
Norbert Barrie was born on the family farm in Turton Township on January 26, 1932, in the same room as his father. He is the oldest child of Peter Barrie and Anne Thome. In 1945, the family moved to Turton.
After graduating from high school, Norbe moved to Los Angeles for work. He was a draftsman/engineer for Hoover Electric Company, which designed and manufactured parts for aircraft.
On October 29, 1955, he married Marilyn Schultz. They resided in West Los Angeles where they started their family. In 1964, they moved to Reseda, CA, a suburb of L.A. Norbe and Marilyn had six children: Bill, Kathy, Bob, Chuck, Laurie, and Kim.
In 1970, Norbe left Hoover and became an insurance agent for John Hancock until his retirement.
The family moved to Salem, Oregon in 1978. He was a volunteer firefighter and member of the fireboard for Marion County Fire District #1. In 1996, he moved back to his home state South Dakota. He married Donna Schmidt in 1997 in Redfield, SD. Norbe was elected to the Redfield city council in 1998 and served one term. Donna passed away on July 5, 2000, and Norbe moved back to Turton shortly after.
Norbe was very active in local and state politics. He was a founding member of Grow Spink, a non-profit which brought economic development to Spink County. He successfully lobbied the state legislature to increase waterfowl hunting opportunities to non-resident hunters. He ran a successful hunting lodge out of his Turton home and was a member of the South Dakota Bed and Breakfast Association.
Norbe was preceded in death by his parents and brother John. He is survived by his children; his siblings: Marlys, Jim, Myrna, Tom, Judy, and Jean: grandchildren: Jill, Jody, Chelsea, Brian, Casey, Cynthia, Caitlin, Eli, and Max; and great-grandchildren; Charlie Rose, Hazel, and Sawyer.
