Norman E. Brendse l, 86, Minot, formerly of Maxbass, died Sunday, September 20, 2009, in a Minot nursing home.

Norman was born September 8, 1923, on the family farm in Hastings Township of Bottineau County, near Maxbass, ND to Ole and Christine (Moe) Brendsel. He was raised on the family farm and educated in Maxbass, where he graduated from high school in 1942.

Norman was united in marriage to Audrey Spidahl on June 9, 1950 in Minot. They lived and farmed together in Hastings Township for sixty-years and also had maintained farming interests in Manitoba, Canada.

Norman was a member of the English Lutheran Church in Maxbass, where he served on the church council and was a member of the men's group for many years. He was also an active member of the construction team that built the new church building that was completed in 1964.

Norman was a member and officer of the Hasting's Township Board, and a member of the ND Tarentaise Association and received the 2006 Commercial Cattleman of the year.

Norman loved his wife and family dearly and enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren grow in life. Norman also had a great passion for farming and raising livestock.

Norman is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Audrey, Minot; Sons, David (Sandy) Brendsel, Williston, ND, Donald (Pat) Brendsel, Bismarck, ND, Douglas (Dianne) Brendsel, Maxbass, ND; Daughter, Yvonne (Rex) Bell, Great Falls, MT; Grandchildren, Tracy (Jim) Brunkhorst, Sandy, OR, Donnette (Aaron) Malakowski, Moorhead, MN, Chris (Willie) Walski, Fargo, ND, Jess Brendsel, Fargo, ND, Norman (Crystal) Bell, and Audrey Bell, both of Great Falls, MT, Gretchen, Naomi, Emily, and Mattew Brendsel all of Maxbass, ND; Six Great-Grandchildren; Sister, Nora (Duane) Roen, Minot, ND and Sister-in-Law, Ila Brendsel, Buena Park, CA.

Norman was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Genivieve Kuhn and Doris Sorbo and brother, Ellsworth Brendsel.

Funeral service: Saturday, September 26, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. in English Lutheran Church, Maxbass, ND.
Interment: Graceland Cemetery, rural Maxbass, ND .
Visitation: Friday, September 25, 2009, from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to the English Lutheran Church, Maxbass, ND.