Norman J. Hixson, 88, of Bassett, Nebraska passed away on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, while residing at the Rock County Long Term Care in Bassett, Nebraska.
Norman J. Hixson was born on February 20, 1937, in Royal, Nebraska, to Clifford Jay Hixson and Agnus Marie (Sparks) Hixson. His mother passed away shortly after his birth. Following his mother’s death, Norman, his father, and older sister, Belva, lived with his grandparents, Lloyd and Mattie Faie Hixson, on a farm near Clearwater, Nebraska.
When Norman was seven, his father married Martha Jeffries, and the family moved to a ranch south of Long Pine. As he entered high school, Norman and Belva returned to Clearwater during the school year to live with their grandparents. After graduating from Clearwater High School in 1954, he attended Norfolk Junior College and later taught in a rural school in Cherry County.
A few years later, Norman moved to Gann Valley, South Dakota where his aunt and uncle lived. It was there that he met the love of his life, Patricia James. They were united in marriage on February 9, 1957. Shortly after their marriage, Norman was drafted into the Army, and the couple relocated to White Plains, New York, where he commuted daily to his military base. While in New York, their first daughter, Rhonda Marie, was born.
After Norman’s discharge, the family returned to South Dakota, settling in Britton, where he worked on a ranch. During this time, their second daughter, Daunitta Jeanne, was born in nearby Aberdeen. In 1960, the family moved to Nebraska, where they welcomed two more children, Kenneth Lloyd and Sandra Kaye. Over the years, they lived in several Nebraska communities including Neligh, Clearwater, O’Neill, and Stuart before moving to Bassett in 1967, where they made their home for nearly thirty years.
Norman worked as a mechanic throughout most of his career. In Bassett, he operated Hixson Skelly gas station before establishing Norm’s Repair, a diesel repair shop. Pat faithfully worked alongside him as bookkeeper.
Dedicated to his community, Norman spent countless hours involved in youth sports, especially boxing. In the late 1960s and 1970s, he founded Norm’s Boxing Club, a Golden Gloves program that gave many young athletes the chance to train and compete. Many evenings and weekends were spent traveling across Nebraska with his boxers. Though boxing always held a special place in his heart, Norman later developed a deep love for wrestling as he proudly watched his grandsons and great-grandsons compete. Norm was an avid sports fan, whether it was youth and high school sports that his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were involved in, or his beloved Huskers, particularly Husker Football and Husker Volleyball.
During his time in Bassett, Norm was dedicated to his church community. As a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church, he was a faithful servant answering any call to serve his church and congregation. He proudly served as council president during the construction of the sanctuary and fellowship hall. He would often serve as a lay leader when called upon and loved to sing in the church choir. For many years, Norm served in several capacities in the Bassett Volunteer Fire Department and was a proud member of the American Legion.
In 1995, Norm and Pat moved to LaVista, Nebraska, where Norm worked as a service manager for Peterbilt of Council Bluffs. After several years there, they relocated to Homestead Knolls at the Calamus Reservoir, a place they treasured and proudly called home. The Homestead Knolls community embraced Norm by naming him “the honorary mayor” of the community. During this time, Norm owned and operated a cross-country trucking business, with Pat traveling alongside him as his trusted co-pilot.
After retiring in 2010, Norm and Pat spent several autumns in Colorado helping their grandson with harvest. Many winters were spent in Apache Junction, Arizona, where they built lasting friendships in their community. Each spring they returned to their home at the Calamus, where summers were filled with hosting family and friends and creating memories together at the lake.
Norm has resided at Rock County Long Term Care since 2022.
Left to cherish his memory are his children, Rhonda (Paul) Hickman of Colton, South Dakota, Daunitta (Gary) Buoy of Burwell, Kenneth Hixson of Dannebrog and Sandra (Gaylen) Fowler of O’Neill. He is also survived by thirteen grandchildren; twenty-four great-grandchildren; his sister, Belva Schwanke; sisters, Carla (Gary) Bundy of Hooper and Gloria (Bill) Polzkill of Grand Island; sister-in-law, Charlotte (Bruce) Douglas of Vancouver, Washington; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Darold and Patricia James of Blaine, Minnesota; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife and soulmate, Pat Hixson; parents, Clifford Jay and Agnus Marie Hixson; his stepmother, Martha Hixson; brother-in-law, Leo Schwanke; sister-in-law, Jerolyn Nachtman; brother-in-law, Bernard Nachtman; and his parents-in-law, Halley and Olive James.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 25, 2025, at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Bassett. Inurnment will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery following a luncheon at the church. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the church. Memorials are suggested to St. Peter Lutheran Church or Rock County Long Term Care.
Still Waters Funeral Parlor is assisting with the arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.stillwatersfuneralparlor.com
Comments