Norman John Foellmi, age 97, of Sparta, passed away on Saturday morning January 24, 2026 at the Morrow Home in Sparta. Norman was born on May 10, 1928 on the family farm north of Sparta, Wisconsin to John and Dora Foellmi. He was the 5th of 10 kids and spent almost all of his life on the family farm. Norm married Lorraine Ehlo on February 4, 1950, the start of a 69 year love story.
Norm and Lorraine loved dancing. They were on the floor whenever a polka or waltz was playing. They spent many summers boating in West Salem and on the Mississippi River. They shared their love of boating & dancing with their five children, and with many friends & family who joined them. Norm worked as a psychiatric nursing assistant and later in the maintenance department at the Tomah VA Hospital for over 30 years. He and Lorraine ran a dairy farm north of Sparta for many years and Norm continued to live on or regularly visit it until just recently.
Norm was well known for his love of Oliver tractors. In his retirement years he and Lorraine might be anywhere in the country checking out tractors to add to his collection which could be seen parked in front of their house.
He was also known as a pretty darn good card player, be it poker, Euchre, 500, pinochle or cribbage. If you beat Grandpa Farmer at cards it was your lucky day! Norm played poker with the guys every Tuesday afternoon up until a month before he passed, “Still playing with their money…”.
Norman is survived by sons Steven (Jean) Foellmi of Lake Forest, CA, Randy (Beth) Foellmi of Green Bay, Paul (Linda) Foellmi of Faribault, MN, Jerry (Mary) Foellmi of Portage and daughter Cindy (Jim) Elsen of Sparta. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, as well as sisters Ruthie (Roger) Jerome, Joanie (Boots) Teasdale and brothers Don (Barb) Foellmi and Phillip Foellmi plus sister-in-law Donna (Harry) Meinking.
He was preceded in death by his wife Lorraine, his parents, brother Al (Florence) Foellmi, and sisters Pinky (Don) Isensee, Francis Mueller, Glady (Lloyd) Niedfeldt, Gertie (Bernie) Suhr and grandson Tyler Elsen.
Norman was an active member of the Sparta Eagles Club.
Funeral Services are being planned for Saturday, February 21, 2026, 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 612 N. Water St., Sparta, WI. Pastor Josh Buzbee will officiate.
Family and friends are invited for visitation on Friday, February 20, 2026 at the Torkelson Page-Smith Funeral Home from 4:00 to 7:00 pm and Saturday, February 21 at the Trinity Lutheran Church from 10:00 until 11:00 am with a Memorial Service to follow.
The Torkelson Funeral Home of Sparta is assisting the family with arrangements. Memorials may be made in Norman’s name to: Morrow Home or the Sparta Eagles Erie # 2833.
Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
Torkelson Funeral Home
