Norman Batterman

Dates

Obituary

Norman Batterman, 95, of Mitchell, SD, died Monday, May 23, 2023, at Firesteel Healthcare Center in Mitchell. Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Friday, May 26, at Salem Lutheran Church in Parkston. Burial will be at Parkston Protestant Cemetery. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Norman Ray Batterman was born January 29, 1928, to Harm and Karolina (Drefs) Batterman in Douglas County, SD. He attended country school until 8th grade. In 1951, Norman joined the army and was stationed in Germany the following year. He returned from Germany as Sergeant 1st class, E7 in 1953.  In 1953, Norman worked at the Parkston Lumber Yard.  In 1959, he worked for Haag Construction.  In 1983, he went to work at Good Samaritan, and in 1988 to St. Benedict Hospital in the maintenance department. Norman retired in 1993 and continued to pop popcorn for the St. Benedict Hospital staff for over 15 years.

Norman met Violet Lily (Baumiller) Batterman shortly before he was deployed to Germany. They fell in love by writing letters back and forth during his deployment. They were married shortly after his return on July 26th, 1953. They made their home together in Parkston SD, where they raised their 3 children: Terry, Scott, and Brenda. 

Norman was a faithful man and an active member of the Salem Lutheran Church. Norman was a jack of all trades. He proudly enjoyed being part of the “chain gang” for the Parkston High School football team for over 20 years. He was an avid card player and always was up for a game of “thirty-one.” He loved to hunt and fish with his sons, son-in-law, grandsons, and friends. Norman enjoyed watching the Parkston Legion baseball team, as well as the Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Twins. He enjoyed traveling and he always left each family gathering looking forward to the next. Norman was most proud of the life that he and Violet built together and the love that they shared for 68 years. Norman was a proud husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and serviceman to our country. He looked forward every year to the “army buddy reunions.” He was a member of the American Legion Post 194 for over 70 years. 

Blessed to have shared in his life are his children: Terry (Linette) Batterman, Scott Batterman, and Brenda (Gary) Mayer; grandchildren, Dustin (Tori) Batterman, Nicholas (fiancé Julie) Batterman, Aaron (Jenn) Mayer, Ashley (significant other Sean), Mindi (Rocky) Smith, Heather (Michael) Alcanter; 14 great-grandchildren: Clayton, Maverick, Morgan, Berkley, McKenzie, Ely, Jack, Mollie, Alivia, Olivia, Charley, Adrian, Madilyn, Maya; sister-in-law, Metha Batterman; numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; siblings: Hattie (John) Schrank, Helen (Alfred) Frey, Albert (Emma) Batterman, Erna (Carl) Guthmiller, Martha (Henry) Struck, William (Ruby) Batterman, Freida (Roy) Struck, Minnie (Nathan) Vilhauer, Helmuth Batterman, Martha and Albert Batterman in infancy; sister-in-law, Delphine (Kenneth) Juhnke; daughter-in-law, Jackie Batterman.

In lieu of flowers, memorials will be directed to the American Legion in Parkston.

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