Norman Lynn (Digger) Farel

Norman Lynn (Digger) Farel, 89, Udall, Missouri, passed away on March 25, 2024 in his home surrounded by his family.

Norman was born July 16,1934 in Bridges Creek, Ozark County, Missouri, to Frank Morton Farel and Bessie Leota Dean Farel. He was raised in Ozark County and moved to Boone County, IL as a teenager. He always loved the Ozarks, it was his home, and returned often for hunting trips and family gatherings. He later retired to his parent’s homestead in Udall, MO.

He embarked on a lifelong journey with Shirley Tessman, tying the knot on August 29, 1953, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Belvidere IL. Their love story began when her big brother Bob Tessman introduced them as teenagers, and they went on to celebrate 67 years of marriage.

Norman was a storyteller. He had a million tales to tell, and they only got taller with each telling. He loved reminiscing and laughing about the good old days. He lived a full life and loved to share his adventures. He enjoyed his trusty harmonica, playing heartfelt love songs about Shirley, who he missed so much.

He was a collector of everything because there was always going to be a use for it another day. If you needed something, he probably had 2 of them. He prided himself on having just what you need to “fix” anything “the Farel way” and believed that WD-40, duct tape or a craftsman wrench solved almost every problem. He held onto tractors & trucks that he tinkered with and especially loved his old Ford Truck that he was saving to restore with his son Norman, Jr. He was proud of his red Farmall Cub tractor that he displayed at the Boone County Fair. The Fair was something that Norman and Shirley enjoyed together; it was a chance to catch up with longtime Belvidere friends.

Norman loved to travel and take the family on long vacations across the country in his motorhome. His favorite times were trips out West to visit the Dean families and to Northern Wisconsin to see the Tessman families. In IL, many weekends were spent at Boone Lake. Everyone has a memory tied to his camping excursions. After he retired to Missouri, he enjoyed taking visitors out on Lake Norfolk in his pontoon boat or loading everyone into the motorhome as he drove around the back roads to all the places he loved.

He had many pets throughout his life, but especially loved his sweet dog Daisy, who he cared for over fourteen years.

He had an incredible work ethic, working multiple jobs to take care of his immediate and extended family. He worked at several IL companies as a welder, including Dean Foods, Standard Brass and Arnold Electric and retired from Wilburt Vault Company. He started his own business, Farel Excavation, with his son Steve; this is when he became known as “Digger”. He used his backhoe both for his business and to help out his friends.

He was a church leader and a Sunday School bus driver at Calvary Baptist Church in Belvidere, IL. In Missouri he was a member of Bridges Creek Baptist Church and was active with remodeling the church and taking care of the grounds including Baptist Hill Cemetery.

Norman was a caring husband, father, grandpa, and papa. He was a great friend to all who knew him and was always there to help anyone who needed him.

Norman is survived by his daughters: Sharon Thomas, husband Fred; Pamela Johnson, husband Tom; daughter in-law Cheryl Farel, all of Belvidere. Grandchildren: Christopher (Katie) Thomas, Sara Wollin (Dan Hodgson), Matthew Wollin, Talie Johnson, Nick (Katrina) Brown, Steven K.C. (Kristine) Farel, and Ashley Farel, and Barb Hinde. Great-grandchildren: Xandra Farel, Braden Ettner, Emma, Hunter, Regan and Max Wollin, Alayna Farel, Jasmin Farel, Janell, Teaghan, Zach and Karlene Brown, Mark (Nicole) Mason and Crystal Mason and five Great-great grandchildren. Sisters, Linda Hendrickson of Texas, and Ruby Cheek-Robinson of Udall, MO. Many cousins, nieces, and nephews, all of whom he loved deeply.

He is preceded in death by his parents Frank & Bessie Farel; his loving wife Shirley Farel; son Steven Farel and his wife Trina; son Norman Farel Jr.; grandsons, Cory Joe Farel, Shane Farel and Luke Wollin; siblings Charles “Cook” Farel and Bonnie Hodgson.

There will be a service and committal at Baptist Hill Cemetery, Elijah, MO on Tuesday, April 23, at 2 pm. A time of visitation will be held starting at 1 pm. A celebration of life will also be held in Illinois on June 15 at the home of Pamela Johnson, 4000 Orth Rd, Belvidere.

The family wishes to express their thanks for the care provided by his granddaughter Sara Wollin and her son Braden Ettner and to Ozark Home Health and Hospice, West Plains, Missouri.

Arrangements under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.