Palmer Norby

Palmer Duane Norby, age 91, of Sidney, Montana, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 18, 2025.Born on August 9, 1933, in Divide County, North Dakota to Peter P Norby and Ingaborg (Skaagen) Norby, Palmer was raised with a strong work ethic and a dream of being a cowboy. Though he never quite became one in the traditional sense, he lived his life with the cowboy spirit—hardworking, generous, and always ready with another project (restoring Model T’s, old tractors or an old covered wagon) or family activity, whether it was sledding at the Stan land, making deer sausage, shooting squirrels, or curating his vast Beanie Baby collection, with hundreds of them piled everywhere.Palmer met the love of his life, Doris Ann (Groth) Norby, at a dance in Zahl, North Dakota. They married on July 3, 1955, in Bonetraill, North Dakota, and spent 69 years together, raising a family and building a life filled with faith, laughter, and community. While Doris was the family’s cheerleader, always bringing warmth and encouragement, Palmer was the provider—ensuring that everyone was cared for. He adored Doris and never left her side, their love serving as the foundation of their family.A natural salesman, Palmer spent 50 years at Gem City Motor, where he built lifelong relationships and a reputation for fairness. Generations of families returned to him because they knew they’d be treated right. His slogan, “For a good car deal, see Palmer Norby,” was printed on everything from calendars to pens—he was always handing out pens. Beyond cars, he pursued many ventures, including raising cattle, owning an oil company (N.O.B. Drilling), and operating a quarter-horse business (PK Ranch), ensuring his family was always provided for.Palmer had a gift for making everyday life fun. He once had the fire department flood the yard in winter to create a personal ice-skating rink for his kids. His mischievous side showed when he planted a fake giant potato to trick his neighbor, Willie, during a potato-growing contest. When they dug up their potatoes, Willie was dumbfounded at how massive Palmer’s was—so massive, in fact, that it wasn’t even the same type they had planted. Family and neighbors got a good laugh, just one of many shenanigans Palmer enjoyed pulling on family and friends.The family had a Shetland pony named Tony that all the kids could ride—except Palmer. No matter how many times he tried, Tony always bucked him off. His grandkids will never forget him singing “Up on the Housetop” at Christmas—always with different, made-up lyrics. And his family will forever laugh about the restaurant mishap where he squeezed a mustard bottle so hard it exploded, sending mustard everywhere.He loved hosting BBQ cookouts with the whole family, making sure there was plenty of food and activities for everyone to enjoy. During family events, you might catch him at the pinochle table—where he was ruthless. Palmer was a risk-taker, and nothing thrilled him more than shooting the moon to win the game in a dramatic final hand.Palmer is survived by his children: Vickie (Marc) Strouse, Lora (Donald) Bergerson, Kris Norby, Duane (Colleen) Norby, and Blake (Caleb) Lauritsen-Norby; along with nine grandchildren, Shane, Nicole, Jerimiah, Larissa, Duke, Chandi, Justin, Candy, Kayla, and many great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Doris.He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered for his unwavering love for his family, his generosity, his humor, and the cowboy spirit that lived in his heart.Memorials in Palmer’s name may be sent to Pella Lutheran Church, 418 W. Main St., Sidney, MT 59270.