Norman Edward Fuessel, 96, of Taylor, joined his beloved Nancy and his Heavenly Father early Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023.
Norman was born Dec. 4, 1926, in Taylor, to Rudolph and Lydia Fuessel. On March 23, 1954, he married the love of his life, Nancy Ann Krueger, and they shared 43 wonderful years together. They were blessed with two children, Norma Jean and Kelly. Norman graduated from Hutto High School in 1944. After high school, he joined the Army National Guard and was later honorably discharged.
Norman was a very skilled welder and very gifted at building and constructing things. He built or modified much of his own farm equipment (cotton trailers and cotton stompers), farm structures and home improvements. He took great pride in his work and was always willing to help friends and neighbors with repairs and fixes. Norman farmed all his life growing cotton, grain sorghum and many other crops. He was known as “Tractor Grandpa” by his grandchildren. He also enjoyed gardening and had the honor of receiving the Agriculturist of the Year award in 1993.
For many years, Norman looked forward to playing dominoes, and he loved a good game of 42 anywhere he could find it. He served on the Hutto ISD school board, and enjoyed playing Bingo at H-E-B. He was also an active member at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Taylor, as well as the S.P.J.S.T. Round Rock lodge. Norman and Nancy also enjoyed traveling with the Roadrunners Travel Club and polka dancing.
He treasured his time with friends and family and was always happy when they came to visit.
He would often make a special effort to meet new people and make new friends. Up until some of his last days with us, one thing you would often hear him ask was, “where’s your shoes?”
Norman was preceded in death by his parents, Rudolph and Lydia Fuessel; wife, Nancy Fuessel; sister, Allene Leschber; sister-in-law, Carolyn Meiske; and brother-in-law, Arnold Leschber. Left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Norma Jean Betak; son, Kelly Fuessel; grandchildren, Travis Betak and wife, Jennifer, and Tracy Scaparra and husband, Jeff; and greatgrand- children, Emma and Ellie Scaparra; as well as numerous other family members and loved ones.
Serving as pallbearers are Travis Betak, Jeff Scaparra, Chris Leschber, Donny Leschber, Ronny Leschber, and Eddie Kotrla. The family would especially like to express their deepest appreciation to the staff at Sundara Senior Living and Enhabit Home & Health Hospice for their compassionate and loving care to our dad. Thank you to Pastor George Qualley for his many visits to dad. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church.
Services were held Friday, Jan. 20, at Providence Funeral Home.
