Norman "Norm" Payne
Norman "Norm" Payne, age 82, of Philip, South Dakota, died on Friday, February 12, 2021 at Monument Health Hospital in Rapid City.
Norman Orville Payne, better known as “Norm” by his family and friends, was born September 5, 1938, in Aurora County, South Dakota, son of Orville Payne and Florence (Beers) Payne. He grew up in rural Aurora county helping on the family farm. Norm received his elementary education in rural Firesteel Township schools. He graduated from Plankinton High School in 1956. Norm worked for several local farmers and then drove livestock pullmans at both Plankinton and Belle Fourche, South Dakota.
Norm started working line construction in 1960 for a contractor out of Fargo, North Dakota and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. In June 1961, he began working for West Central Electric Co-op as an apprentice lineman. In 1962, he was initiated into the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and in 1963 he was promoted to a Journeyman Lineman. Norm retired as a line foreman in Philip on January 1, 2002.
Norm was united in marriage to Kay Abel on May 12, 1963. Two children blessed this marriage: Douglas Dean born May 9, 1964, and Kaelyn Sue born August 22, 1970.
During his life in Philip, Norm was a member of the Methodist United Churches, helped with both the Boy Scouts and the Cub Scouts, was a member of the Philip Ambulance Service and Volunteer Fire Department for 40 years, served on the Philip City Council, served on the Haakon County Prairie Transportation Board, and drove the bus. He was passionate about helping people and he was very involved with the "Feeding South Dakota" program.
Norm enjoyed going to morning coffee, playing cards, watching Jeopardy, and he was an avid reader. He loved supporting the youth of Philip and was known around town as the “gum and candy man.”
Grateful for sharing his life are his daughter Kaelyn McSherry and her husband Chris of Rapid City; granddaughters Ashley Neville of Mesa, Arizona, and Taylor McSherry of Rapid City; two grandsons Sgt. Derek "DJ" Neville (currently stationed in Korea) and his wife Amanda, and Kyle McSherry of Rapid City; great grandson, Robert Neville; siblings Joyce Hoefert of Hartford, Paul Payne and his wife LeAnne of Plankinton, and Willard Payne of Mitchell; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife Kay on December 4, 2015; son Doug on September 1, 1999; his parents; brother-in-law Robert Hoefert; and sister-in-law, JoAnn Payne.
A visitation will be held from 4-6 p.m. with a prayer service at 6 p.m. on Friday, February 19, at Rush Funeral Home in Philip.
Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 20, at the United Church in Philip with Pastor Kathy Chesney officiating. The memorial service will be live-streamed.
Interment at Pine Lawn Memorial Park in Rapid City will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the United Church or Prairie Transportation.
Arrangements are with Rush Funeral Home of Wall.
