Norman Andresen

Norman Nick Andresen, son of Albert and Grace (Lohmeier) Andresen was born January 26, 1934 at St. Anthony Hospital, Carroll, Iowa. Norman grew up on a farm north of Manning and graduated with the Class of '52.

After various jobs around Manning, he moved to Chicago, Illinois where he took a job at Cook Electric. The job was interrupted when he served two years in the Army. He always said how lucky he was because he was stationed near Karlsruhe, Germany in headquarters battery. After his two years in the service, he returned to Cook Electric in Chicago. He was promoted to Line Foreman in charge of the relay department.

Norman was united in marriage with Sandra Peterson on September 21, 1963. Norman decided to change jobs and was hired by the Chicago Park District as an animal keeper at Lincoln Park Zoo. After a couple of years, he was promoted to Senior Keeper and was put in charge of various animal collections; one was re-opening the Farm in the Zoo. It was like living back on the farm. After a year, he returned to being in charge of nights from 5PM to 7AM. One duty was feedings in the zoo nursery. Some babies he fed were Snow Leopards, Polar Bears and many different species of primates and cats.

Norman and Sandra also had rental properties: an apartment building, three houses and a condo in Fort Lauderdale. For entertainment, they enjoyed their season tickets to the University of Miami football games and attending Cubs and Bulls games, locally.

Norman died on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at his home in Highland Park, Illinois. He was 87 years of age.

Norman was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Sandra Andresen in 2006.
He is survived by his two daughters: Tanya and husband Douglas Wojcik of Highland Park, Illinois; and Tara and husband Kevin Lane of Raleigh North Carolina; as well as two grandsons, Jared and Colin.