Norman Allen Buckner

Norman “Pops” passed away at the age of 91. He was born in Crookston, Minnesota in 1929. His passion was music while growing up. He joined the army in 1948 and served in Korea.

He met his wife Irene Bachmeier and they were married, in Devils Lake North Dakota. Irene had 12 brothers and sister, so Norman married into a large family, which he just adored. There were many family reunions, and it was always a special event that he looked forward to.

He entered Radio and Television in Minot North Dakota where he was the voice on the radio and the face on TV. His colleagues referred to him as “Stormin’ Norman.” He spent many years at KMOT TV. After leaving television he started his own Monogramming business in Minot. His business known as “Buckner Monogramming” was the first of its kind in that area. He monogrammed thousands of jackets, hats and shirts for various organizations, schools and colleges all over the state. He also worked with his wife at her Travel agency “Irene’s Travel. ”Their adventures took them to Florida, Mexico, Las Vegas and Hawaii. In the summer months he took his business on the road and traveled to all the State and County fairs in North

Dakota and Montana. His last stop at the end of the summer was in Hamilton, Montana where he got to spend time with his grandchildren Josh and Ashley. He brought boxes of treasures that he collected at all the fairs for the grandkids, and they were just delighted when he came to set up shop at the Ravalli County fair.

Norm and Irene built their dream home in Souris Court in Minot in 1994. They lived there until 2011 when the 100-year flood devastated Minot and the surrounding areas. Over 4000 homes were lost during the flood including theirs. They moved to an Assisted living facility called Morning Star in Billings Montana. Norm and Irene lived there for 3 years until Irene passed and he went to live with his daughter Debbie in Hamilton Montana in the summer of 2014.

In October 2019 Norman and Debbie attended the “Honor Flight” in Washington DC. They toured the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Korean Memorial, the Pentagon and the 911 Memorial. It was quite the event with a lot of fond memories. There were Vietnam Vets, Korean Vets and WW11 Vets.

He took his family to Kauai, Australia, Arizona, Maui and Florida.

He is survived by his daughter Lynn Hennessy, Billings. Debbie Johnson, husband Allen, Hamilton. Grandson Josh Johnson, wife Heather, Shoreline Washington. Granddaughter Ashley Laine, husband Connor, and great granddaughter Lila Rae of Hamilton, Montana. He also was loved by Sarah and Gavin Maynard and grandchildren Cole, Connor and Chelsea of Sammamish Washington who he considered family.

We will miss his wit and generosity.

Donations can be sent to the Humane Society of your choice or to any Veteran organization. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Norman Allen Buckner, please visit our floral store.