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Norman Meidinger, 94, passed away on Oct. 12, 2022. Norm was the 10th child of John C. Meidinger and Magdalena Schultheiz, and as the youngest, was the last born of that generation.
He was born March 15, 1928, in Fallon, Montana. He grew up during the depression of the 1930’s, attending a rural school through the sixth grade and walking to and from school a distance of 1 1/2 miles — in hot or cold conditions, carrying his lunch pail (a yellow recycled lard bucket). His lunch usually consisted of homemade bread, butter and syrup or jelly.
Norman attended Terry High School, graduating in 1945. He then went to college at Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana. He worked at various jobs to earn money to complete his Bachelor of Science Degree.
He met Wanda Ryles from Powell, Wyoming, while in college, and they married on Aug. 21, 1948. They celebrated 56 years of marriage.
Norman started his teaching career (43 years) in rural schools in Montana, then came to Wyoming where he taught in Lovell, Cody and Powell. His last 32 years in the education field were at Powell High School where he was the only biology instructor for many years. He retired from teaching in 1992.
Norman and Wanda were blessed with two children, wonderful daughters Nancy (R.J.) Swarts of Thornton, Colorado, and Dineen (Terry) Mueller, of Shell, Wyoming. Both daughters followed in their parents’ footsteps and became teachers.
Norman was community-minded. He served eight years on the Powell City Council during which time Norman carried a petition to form the Southside Improvement District to provide curbs and gutters. Other projects the city council worked on during his time of service were infrastructure of streets, water, sewer and the electrical system, establishing Homesteader Park and the East Side Water Tower. The addition of grass and trees to the canal banks was also part of the improvement. Along with Keith Bloom, he helped in the establishment of the recreation board’s ski bus.
Other boards he served on were Rocky Mountain Manor Board (eight years), the Wyoming State Girl Scout Council (eight years), the North End Water Board (10 years) and the Powell Senior Citizens Board (two terms).
Norman married Donna Farmer Kisor in Lovell, Wyoming on Aug. 1, 2007.
Norman is survived by his spouse, Donna; two daughters, Nancy and Dineen and their husbands; three grandchildren, Stacey (Chris) Galey, Sam (Monica) Miller, and Troy (Sarah)Toler; three great-grandchildren, Matt Galey, Brett Galey and Christina Rose Miller. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at Thompson Funeral Home in Powell on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022, beginning at 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be given to the Northwest College Foundation, 231 W. Sixth St., Powell, Wyoming 82435.
