Norman Birkeland of Louriston Township, died on Sunday, November 27, 2011 at the Luther Haven Nursing Home in Montevideo at the age of 87 . Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday, December 1, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. at Buffalo Lake Lutheran Church in Grace Township with Rev. Mike Carlson officiating. Interment will be in the Buffalo Lake Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Anderson Funeral Home of Montevideo is in charge of the arrangements. Norman Henry Birkeland was born on July 26, 1924 at his home in Louriston Township of Chippewa County, MN to Conrad and Asse (Bergeson) Birkeland. He was baptized in August, 1924 and confirmed in December of 1938, both at the Buffalo Lake Church. He attended Country School at District # 36 in Louriston Township. He served in the U.S. Army, serving in Korea. Norman lived and farmed on the family farm all his life. He was a life-long member of Buffalo Lake Lutheran Church and the VFW. He enjoyed playing horseshoe with his team "Millers Corner" for 20 years. Norman also enjoyed traveling, fishing, hunting, and visiting with friends and neighbors. He is survived by a sister, Florence Felber of Bloomington, MN and many nieces, nephews, friends and other relatives. Norman was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Clarence, Nuel and Albert Birkeland; sisters: Alvina Dyshaw, Nora Kramer, Sylvia Birkeland and Sophie Kramer, as well as by a brother Albert and a sister Olga in infancy.