Donald LeRoy Norbie, 93 of Greeley passed away on Sunday, July 30, 2017 at the Hospice Inpatient Unit at NCMC.

He was born in Willmar, Minnesota on October 13, 1923 to Nels and Myrtle Viola (Carlson) Norbie. In 1931 Mr. and Mrs. Norbie with their son Donald moved to Arizona for Mrs. Norbie’s health. At first, they lived in Prescott, Arizona for four years and then moved to Tucson.

In 1938 Donald received Christ as his personal Savior, being led to the Lord by T. B. Gilbert. After graduating from high school in 1941 he attended the University of Arizona. His mother’s tuberculosis had gotten worse and had gone into her spine. She was put into the hospital in the spring of 1942 and died in 1946.

Donald joined the U.S. Navy in August 1942 and went through Boot Camp in San Diego, California. After Quarter Master School he was assigned to the USS Mobile. He also served on two other ships, the USS Salamaua and a destroyer, the USS William B. Preston. He received six battle stars for his service as well as the rating of Quarter Master First Class. When WWII was over Donald was discharged in October of 1945 and went back to college.

Mr. Norbie married Edna Marie Adams on June 7, 1947 and graduated with honors from Westmont College in 1948. They moved to Wheaton, Illinois and he graduated with an MA degree from Wheaton College in 1949.

Donald was recommended for the Lord’s work by Bethany Chapel, Wheaton, Illinois in 1949. He and his wife served the Lord in evangelism and Bible teaching. Donald taught at Emmaus Bible School for three years.

In 1952 they moved to Oklahoma. Over the years they had five children, three boys that were born in Oklahoma and two girls born in Illinois. They started a church in Oklahoma City and also a Bible Camp in the state. In 1964 they moved to southern California to be near Marie’s mother who had recently become a widow. In 1970 they moved to Greeley, Colorado. The ministry in Greeley was primarily with students at first and then broadened to include families. The church that was established, first called Koinonia Fellowship, is now called Fellowship Chapel.

Donald and Marie were also very active with Friends of International Students. They made many friends throughout the world as a result. Donald was involved for many years with the Christian Business Men’s Committee. He also served at the Weld County jail for about forty years and served as chaplain during that time. He and his wife traveled extensively in the Lord’s work.

Donald’s wife, Marie, preceded him in death on January 9, 2014. He is also preceded in death by his son Daniel and his parents, Nels and Myrtle Viola Norbie. He is survived by four children, Donna Neilson of Quebec, Canada, Dorothy Norbie of Denver, Dale Norbie of Denver and Douglas Norbie of Greeley; six grandchildren, five great grandchildren, his brother, Kenneth and wife Arlie of St. Cloud, Minnesota and a half brother and sister, Ron and Penelope.

Services will be held on Monday, August 7, 2017 beginning with a visitation from 10:00 until 1:00 p.m. at the Moser Funeral Service Chapel, 3501 S. 11th Avenue in Evans. A graveside service will follow at 2:00 p.m. on Monday at Linn Grove Cemetery followed by a celebration of Donald’s life 4:00 p.m. on Monday at the Fellowship Chapel, 2100 22nd Street.

Memorial gifts to Christian Missions in Many Lands in care of Moser Funeral Service.

An online obituary and guestbook are at www.moserfuneralservice.com