Norman Hastings

Norman Robert Hastings, 81, of Bismarck ND passed away peacefully of natural causes at his home on November 9, 2019. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 15, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 806 E Broadway, Bismarck.

Visitation is from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 14, at Eastgate Funeral Service, 2302 E Divide Ave, Bismarck.  A rosary/vigil service will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Burial will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, November 15, at Highland Home Cemetery, Jamestown.

Born May 27, 1938 in Cleveland, North Dakota, the son of Frieda (Trautman) Hastings and Rubel Hastings. 

He lived in North Dakota his entire life. He received his elementary education in Jamestown and attended Jamestown High School. He was married to Mary Anne Buckley in 1960. They were married from 1960-1979 and they had one daughter.

Norman is survived by his daughter Karen (Mark) Hastings Ereth, grandchildren, Michael Hastings Ereth and Jessica Hastings Ereth all of Rochester Minnesota, and half-sister Ruby Fisher of Kansas. He was preceded in death by his mother Frieda Hastings, father Rubel Hastings and numerous aunts and uncles that were instrumental and influential in his life.

In addition to his immense love of his grandchildren he will be most remembered for his longtime sobriety and devotion to the program of Alcoholics Anonymous. He was a friend of Bill W.’s for over 43 years.

He is well remembered for his deep heart and ability to help friends and strangers alike. Norman effortlessly started conversations with complete strangers and could wind up befriending them. His friends were his lifeline and were always there for him, and he loved and deeply cared about each one including Chance Sedlacek.. During his life Norman worked in glazing, sales, and property management. He thoroughly enjoyed camping and never missed a Green Bay Packers football game. 

Norm loved spending time with his daughter and grandchildren on his favorite Minnesota lake. An avid motorcycle rider, he participated in numerous events and rides throughout his life. One beautiful North Dakota summer day he and fellow riders completed a 1,000-mile ride starting with the sunrise and finishing at sunset.

Diagnosed with Diabetes at the age of 11 he successfully fought the disease and its complications for 70 years. In 2017 he was given the Eli Lily lifetime award for beating Diabetes for more than 50 years.

Many thanks to his caregivers at Augusta Place, (which he called home) and the extraordinary assistance by so many of his friends. Memorials can be made to the American Diabetes Association.