Norman Sidie

Norman Sidie, age 96 of Westby, WI passed away on Sunday, May 24, 2026, at Norseland Nursing Home. He was born on October 2, 1929, to Leslie and Sylvia (Hanson) Sidie on the family farm in rural Vernon County near Purdy. He lived there with his parents, older brother Vern and his Scottish immigrant grandfather Robert, who was a stone mason and who built their house that still stands today.

Norman attended the Brown and Plainfield Grade Schools and graduated from Westby High School in 1947. While he was in high school, he was elected President of his Junior Class and Junior Prom King. He lettered in football, basketball and baseball. When Norman was sixteen years old his father passed away unexpectedly and from that day on, he had to manage the family farm that was located on the near west side of Westby where today’s high school and gymnasium are located. Soon after that Norman was able to acquire a hay baler and jeep which he used to bale hay for many area farmers during the late 1940’s and early 1950’s.

On June 2,1951, Norman married Shirley Sagmoen in the Westby Coon Prairie Lutheran Church. The couple raised five children on their dairy farm just outside Westby on highway 27, where the entire family was active in the Coon Prairie 4-H Club and Bar W Riders Horse Club. Norman was a loyal fan of all his children and grandchildren’s music and sports activities. He was a huge fan of all Westby Norseman Sports and was a lifelong fan of the Milwaukee Braves, Brewers and Bucks along with the Badgers and the Packers. When Norman was in the barn milking his Jersey cows, you could be assured there was a baseball game playing on the barn radio. He was a lifelong member of the Westby Coon Prairie Lutheran Church and served in various roles in the church.

Norman was a hard worker and one of the nicest people you could hope to meet. Everyone who knew him will miss his gentle nature and impish grin.

Norman is survived by his wife, Shirley, of 75 years and his children: Steven (Tom Larsen) Sidie of Milwaukee, WI and Galesburg, IL; Wayne (Laurie) Sidie of Turlock, CA; Ann (Tom) Gibbons of Coon Valley, WI; Julie Lee of Red Wing, MN; and Kathryn Burigsay of Castro Valley, CA.

He is survived by eight grandchildren: Emily (Tony) Betschart and Leah Sidie both of Modesto, CA; Haley (Dan) Solem of West Des Moines, IA; Brenna (Tristan) Gibbons of Madison, WI; Tanner (Lexi) Gibbons of Westby, WI; Jack (Kathleen) Lee of Bloomington, MN; Alyssa (Derek) Ulvenes of Red Wing, MN; and Gunnar (Vina) Burigsay of Toluca Lake, CA.

Norman is also survived by his three great-grandchildren: Penny Betschart of Modesto, CA; Finn Solem of West Des Moines, IA; and Charlie Renee Ulvenes of Red Wing, MN.

He is also survived by his niece Pam (Pete) Benzing of Rockland, WI and numerous cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by parents Leslie and Sylvia Sidie/Skjolden; brother Vern Sidie; sister and brother-in-law Evonelle and George Wyman; mother and father-in-law Alice and Lester Sagmoen; son-in-law Charles Lee and son-in-law Michael Burigsay.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, June 1, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Westby Coon Prairie Lutheran Church. Pastor Alyssa Weaver will officiate. A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Norman will be laid to rest at Country Coon Prairie Lutheran Cemetery with a meal to follow at the church. Online Condolences may be expressed at www.vossfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Westby Coon Prairie Lutheran Church, the Westby Area Fine Arts Foundation or the Norseman Booster Club.

Norman’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Norseland Nursing Home and St. Croix Hospice for their excellent care and kindness.