Norman "Norm" Blair

Norman “Norm” Blair, age 88, of Le Sueur, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, after a short illness, surrounded by his loving family. A visitation will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., concluding with a short prayer service at Kolden Funeral Home in LeSueur, Minnesota. Interment will take place at a later date at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport, Illinois.

Norm was born on October 15, 1937, at his family home near Pearl City, IL, to Walter and Teresea (Koch) Blair. He grew up in the area and attended Lanark schools, where the foundation was laid for the strong work ethic and practical know-how he carried throughout his life. On July 12, 1960, Norm married the love of his life, Wava Fager, at the local pastor’s home in Lanark. Their marriage of 65 years was one of devotion, teamwork, and shared laughter. Norm worked for Green Giant who moved him to Cokato Minnesota in 1966. Their family was then moved to LeSueur in 1979 while he continued his commitment to Green Giant. Norm and Wava continued to build a life together and raise their family. Norm and Wava were blessed with three children: Patricia, Allen, and Tina.

Norm spent many years working for Green Giant and was so knowledgeable and dependable that he was called back even after retirement. After officially retiring from Green Giant, he worked for the City of LeSueur, mowing grass and driving the Zamboni at the Community Center. He then went on to work at Menards for 17 years because slowing down was never really his style.

Known as a true “jack of all trades,” Norm was the person everyone called when something needed fixing. There wasn’t much he couldn’t repair, figure out, or improve with a little tinkering. He especially enjoyed square dancing with Wava, snowmobiling, working on mechanical projects, and quietly watching the birds and squirrels at his feeders. He also took great pride in his beloved cactus “farm,” which brought him both joy and amusement.

Norm is survived by his wife, Wava Blair of Le Sueur, Minnesota; his children, Allen “Al” (Jackie) Blair of Le Sueur, and Tina (Monte) Raske of Vernon Center; his grandchildren, Alyssa (Max) Spaeth, Kyle Blair, Nathan (Brandi) Blair, Haley (Sean) Garrity, Cody (Grace) Blair, Maggie (Andrew) Ebert, Annabelle Raske, and Gabe Raske; and his great-grandchildren, Logan Spaeth, Indy and Oakley Blair, Rogue, Milo, Minnie, and Luna Ebert.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Teresea Blair; his daughter, Patricia (Blair) Vance; his parents-in-law, Donald and Evelyn Fager; and his siblings, Donald, Eilene, Thurlow, Dale, Ralph, Dorothy, and Jerry