Larry Norton

Larry James Norton, a devoted husband, father, veteran, teacher, and craftsman, passed away on October 31, 2025, in Tucson, Arizona, at the age of 87.  A combined Mass of Christian Burial for Larry and Diane Barrie will be held at 10:00 a.m. on June 20th at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Turton. Father Scott Miller will officiate.  Inurnment with military honors will follow in St. John's Catholic Cemetery, Conde, under the direction of Paetznick-Garness Funeral Chapel, Groton.  All are invited to a reception at the Turton Community Building.

Born on October 16, 1938, in Aberdeen, South Dakota, Larry was the son of Raymond and Phoebe Norton. He proudly served in the United States Navy, where he developed the strong sense of loyalty, discipline, and commitment that guided him throughout his life. While working full-time and raising a young family, he earned both a bachelor’s and a master’s degrees in Industrial Arts from Northern State University.

Larry spent many years teaching Industrial Arts in South Dakota schools, including Aberdeen Central, Sisseton, and Bristol. In the late 1970s, he founded Norton Construction, a business he continued to operate throughout his life. While living in Verdon, South Dakota, he built a family home with the "help" of his children, his most trusted crew.

Larry loved working with wood and took pride in building and remodeling homes for family and friends. He also had a lifelong love of horses and deeply loved his hometown of Conde, South Dakota. He cherished annual pheasant hunting trips to South Dakota and enjoyed traveling with his wife, Connie, in their fifth-wheel trailer. Larry appreciated life’s simple pleasures—playing cards, dancing with Connie, and sharing stories with loved ones.

A devout Catholic, Larry was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Tucson. His faith was the foundation of his life and values.

Larry is survived by his beloved wife of 37 years, Connie Norton; daughters Julie (Tom) Egli, Jayne (Bill) Johnston, and Jody (Ken) Kleker; grandsons Liam O’Shea and James Cudney; granddaughter Jillian Kleker; sister Jean (Harlan) Sundvold; brother-in-law Jerry Bertsch; 4 stepchildren and 16 step-grandchildren; and many extended family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Phoebe Norton; his daughter, Jill Norton; and his sister, Mavis Bertsch. Larry’s legacy of love, craftsmanship, and faith will live on in all who knew him.

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