Norman Wayne Heupel, 65 of Russell died Tuesday, August 9, 2011 at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell, Kansas.

Norman was born September 4, 1945 in Lemmon, North Dakota, the son of Alfred and Nora ( Rattei ) Heupel.  He grew up in Lemmon, North Dakota and Bison, South Dakota.  He came to Kansas in 1964 when he was delivering a combine to a harvest crew and stayed.  He lived in Colby and Goodland, Kansas.

Norman was united in marriage to Dora Wright on October 4, 1991 in Burlington, Colorado.  They lived in Goodland until 2008 when they moved to Russell.

Norman was in the housing construction business.  When he was younger he was a professional bareback and saddle bronc rider.

Norman attended the First Congregational Church of Russell.  He loved building things and working with his hands.

Surviving family include his wife of 19 years, Dora of the home; two stepsons, David Corke and wife Sandra of Boynton Beach, Florida and Eric Corke and wife Audrey of Goodland, Kansas; five brothers, Alvin of South Dakota, Alfred of Montana, Leonard North Dakota, Les of Texas and Ronald of South Dakota; five sisters, Alyce Hurst of Kansas, Linda Besler of Wyoming, Margie Kuamvig of South Dakota, Diane Brown of New Mexico and Debbie Heupel of Texas;  mother-in-law, Betty Wright of Goodland, Kansas; and granddaughter, Danika Corke.  He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Lorraine Pace and brother Ray Heupel.

Celebration of Norman’s Life will be held at 3:30 P.M. Saturday, August 13, 2011 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell.  Visitation will be from 9 AM to service time at the mortuary.  Private burial will follow the services.  A memorial has been established as the Norman Heupel Memorial Fund.  Contributions and condolences may be left with Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.