Norman Herzinger

Norman “Norm” Stanley Herzinger died at age 96 of COVID-19 on October 13, 2021. Norm was born in Buhl, Idaho on August 1, 1925, the son of Stanley Herzinger and Tillie Smutny. He is preceded in death by his wife, Helen Rice Herzinger, and a brother, Stanley Herzinger Jr.. He is survived by an older sister, Lillian Dana; a daughter, Carolyn Kocherhans (Larry); a son, Norman Mark Herzinger (Lana); 7 grandchildren: Erich Kocherhans, Craig Kocherhans, Heidi Mark, Krista Thomas, Ryan Kocherhans, Blake Herzinger, and Alyssa Herzinger; 14 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Norm loved flying his Cessna airplane and riding his horse, Old Red, at the ranch while his dog Snowflake chased jackrabbits. His hobbies included reading, studying, genealogy, trading stocks and options, keeping up with current events, and being around his beloved family. He was always talking about his grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s accomplishments and milestones. In his younger years, he enjoyed nature, walking, skiing, water skiing, gardening, and traveling with his wife Helen.
Norm and Helen both loved country music, classical piano, Lawrence Welk, and Ed Sullivan. Norm also loved home-cooked meals: fried chicken, roast beef dinner, lemon pie, whole milk, and ice cream. He was a lifetime learner and took classes online to help him with his investments and family history knowledge.
Norm graduated from Buhl High School, where he was in a dance band that played all over the area. He joined the Navy in 1945 and trained to be an aviation machinist mate and aerial gunner in Newport, Rhode Island and Jacksonville, Florida. Norm was getting ready to ship out to the Pacific when World War II ended. While in the Navy, he had a band that played for the Officers’ Clubs and Navy bases. After his discharge from the Navy, he put himself through college at the University of Idaho by playing bass fiddle at clubs and dances.
He had many careers, including car salesman, banker, and insurance salesman. He owned a cattle ranch and founded Western Signs and Advertising in Twin Falls, Idaho, owned a motel in Ketchum, Idaho, and later founded the book business Herzinger & Co. He travelled the northwest selling books to libraries and schools. He retired in 1991 but continued to sell books online for many years.
Norm and Helen served three missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: one in the Bountiful Temple when it first opened, and two in the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. He had great faith in the plan of salvation.
Norm was diagnosed in 2014 with multiple myeloma and endured some challenging health issues, but he was always a favorite at doctor’s offices and hospitals with his positivity at every visit. We are particularly grateful for the tender care provided to him over the last 7 years by Nancy Weber at Utah Cancer Specialists in Bountiful, Utah, Dr. Wayne Ormsby at Intermountain Healthcare, and Dr. David Horsley.
He is deeply missed.