Norm Custer

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Norm Custer age 82 of Broken Bow, NE passed away Friday, April 16, 2021 at the Brookestone View in Broken Bow, NE.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at 2:30 pm at the United Methodist Church in Broken Bow, NE with Pastor Kathy Salts PMA officiating. The Service will be livestreamed at www.govierbrothers.com. Graveside services and Burial will be on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at 2:30 pm MT at Lisco Memorial Cemetery in Lisco, NE. Memorials are suggested to Our Saviour Lutheran Church or the Custer County Foundation. A visitation will be held on Monday, April 19, 2021 from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm with family greeting 4:30 to 6:00 pm at Govier Brothers Mortuary in Broken Bow. Govier Brothers Mortuary are in charge of arrangements. An online guest book may be signed at www.govierbrothers.com.

Norman Lee Custer was born on April 9, 1939 to Edith Leola (Golden) and Seeman Walker Custer in Oshkosh, Nebraska. He attended school in Oshkosh, graduating from Garden County High School in 1957.  He attended Midland College briefly before going into training for USDA--ASCS.  He traveled to every office in the state training staff on the use of one of their new machines until being named County Executive Director of the Cedar County Office in Hartington.  He became very active in NASCOE, an organization of ASCS personnel, not only in Nebraska, but also at the national level.  He received several state and national awards in 1992, ironically, just at the time he was forced to retire.  Later he accepted a place on the board of retired NASCOE members (RASCOE) where he served a number of years. Norm enjoyed any contact he could make with his former co-workers locally and around the state.

Norm suffered a brain bleed stroke just shortly after his 53rd birthday and spent the summer rehabilitating at Madonna Rehab Center in Lincoln.  Doctors advised he go home to a skilled nursing home, but Norm and family had other ideas.  His children gathered needed equipment from the local home health group, and Norm came home.  His physical therapist and friend made house calls at first, and gradually progress was made in life skills such as eating, walking, and eventually driving and playing golf.  All those who knew him well knew we had witnessed a miracle, and we were delighted to enjoy his full presence for another 29 bonus years.  He often acknowledged the power of prayer that made this miracle possible.  Fellowship with his church family at Our Saviour’s Lutheran became important to him.

Norm married Lorna Schneede in 1962.  To this union was born Melanie Ann. In 1970 he was united in marriage to Janelle (Jan) Schulz in Hartington, Nebraska.  To this union were born Brent Jason and Sherri Nicole.  In 1976, Norm accepted a position in Bridgeport, NE to be closer to family.  In 1984, another position was taken in Alexandria, SD to be closer to Jan’s family. In 1985 he took a position in Broken Bow, NE which was centrally located to all family.

Norm’s interests were many.  A huge part of his life was devoted to sports--most prominently, golf.  Wherever he lived, he enjoyed the camaraderie of fellow golfers.  He also volunteered to help add underground irrigation to the Hartington golf course, helped install irrigation and seed the fairways at the Bridgeport golf course, and served on the board at the Broken Bow course.  He had the idea to establish the Junior Golf Camp in Broken Bow, which is ongoing through the efforts of many great volunteers.  He enjoyed the successes of  many of the campers as they played for various high school teams in the area, and several who went on to college careers.  As Covid caused him to guard his health, he did find happiness driving his golf cart to watch family play.  He happily followed the Broken Bow girls to cheer them on to victory at the state tournament last fall, especially as his grand-daughter was one of the team members!  

Norm also loved basketball, coaching girls in the sport of basketball when Melanie was a 4th grader in Hartington. He also coached Sherri’s grade school traveling team.  With his knowledge and input, he helped Jan coach the high school girls golf team in Broken Bow. He enjoyed bowling for years, and spent many hours in the goose pit.  Always a fan of many sports, Norm didn’t miss very many football or basketball games, especially if his kids or grandkids were playing, and the past few years could be found in the front row at the Indian gym, cheering on the players, and kibitzing with the referees. Through the internet this past year, many nights he would be watching or keeping tabs on two or three games at once.

A rousing game of pitch, or pinochle with friends was always a welcome diversion.  Gin rummy rules were often debated in the family, and Norm was the family rules official. However, rules for a good game of bridge were mostly meant to be ignored by Norm.  Family gatherings were never complete unless the cards hit the table--and it was said that whatever you bid in a pitch game, Norm was sure to go one higher.

Norm is survived by wife Jan, daughters Melanie (Shannon) Jordan and Sherri (Eric) Booth, son Brent (Katie) Custer.  Grandchildren are Sean (Kylee) Sterkel, Destry (Mandy) Sterkel, Emery, Molly and Brynn Custer, Dalton and Savannah Jordan, Shjon and Lukas Booth.  Great-grandchildren are Dax Sterkel, Jru Sterkel and another great grandson arriving in June.  Also surviving are brothers Stan and Gary (Sue) and his sister Molly (Bill) Vogler. Also cherished were many dear nieces and nephews and their families.  

 Preceding him in death were his parents, first wife Lorna, brothers Delbert (Mary), Tuff (Faye),a sister-in-law Janet Custer, nieces Connie Steger, Cathy Weinmeister, Linda Custer, Tammy Matthewson, and nephew Rick Custer.