Norman Cornelius Unger, longtime resident of Sexsmith, AB, went to be with his Lord and Saviour on Saturday, April 20, 2019, at the QEII Hospital in Grande Prairie, at the age 74 years.

Norman was born in Steinbach, MB on December 27, 1944 to Cornelius and Elizabeth Unger. He was the oldest of 12 children and grew up on the family farm near Austin, MB. He completed his schooling in Austin and then, in 1963, began an apprenticeship in mechanics. In 1966, he completed his Red Seal Heavy Duty mechanics licence and worked for various agricultural dealers in the area before taking over the service side of a garage in Austin. In the fall of 1970, Norman came to the Peace Country to attend Peace River Bible Institute in Sexsmith, where he met his future wife, Twyla Emerson.

Norman and Twyla were married August 6, 1971 in Kelowna, BC, where they made their home for the next 8 years. Their three children (Lyndon, Chelan and Jayden) were born during this time. Upon moving back to the Peace Country in 1980, and until just three weeks ago, Norman continued with the career he loved, working as a mechanic in agricultural, industrial and oilfield applications. Although he was widely known and respected for his love and expertise of John Deere equipment, he thoroughly enjoyed the last five years he spent working at Grande Prairie Kubota where he became fond of both the brand and the people that he worked with.

The acreage where they raised their family was well known in the area both for the sheep in the pasture and the coffee that was always on. Norman and Twyla raised their kids in a loving Christian environment and the family faithfully attended churches in Grande Prairie and then later in Sexsmith.

Norman was known and respected as a hard-working man of integrity and modelled those traits faithfully for his family. His faith in Jesus Christ was an integral part of his life. Although soft spoken, Norman’s faith was rock-solid and this was exemplified in his willingness to serve others.

As a loving husband, father and grandfather, Norman leaves to mourn his passing and carry on his legacy: Twyla, his wife of 47 years; his three children: Lyndon (Leah) Unger, Chelan (Corey) Toews and Jayden (Nicole) Unger; and 10 grandchildren: Laine, Myles, Owen, and Taia Unger, Lincoln and Chace Toews, Emery, Brielle, Kyra and Macey Unger, as well as many extended family and friends.

He was predeceased by his parents Elizabeth and Cornelius Unger and sisters Marion Letkeman and Linda Roy.

A Memorial Service will be held at on Saturday April 27, 2019, at 2:00pm, at Peace River Bible Institute, McNaughton Auditorium in Sexsmith (9601 100 St.). Luncheon to follow.

Preceding this service, there will be a viewing at Oliver’s Funeral Home in Grande Prairie from 9:00 to 10:00am, with interment to follow at the Emerson Trail Cemetery at 11:00am.

Memorial donations may be made to Peace River Bible Institute (Box 99, Sexsmith, AB, T0H 3C0) or to The Gideons International Bibles of Canada (PO Box 3619, Guelph, ON, N1H 7A2).