Norman Carl Vandal, 89, of Jamestown, ND, passed away Friday afternoon, January 23, 2026 at SMP Health-St. Catherine South, Fargo, ND.

Norman Carl Vandal was born May 21, 1936, in Bottineau, ND, the son of Leonard and Estella (Nordin) Vandal. He attended a one-room schoolhouse during his early years and graduated from Notre Dame Academy, Willow City in 1954. He entered the US Air Force in February 1956. He was in active duty as a petroleum specialist-aviation for four years, of which three years were in Zaragoza, Spain. He was in the Air Force Reserve for two years and then was honorably discharged in February 1962.

He was united in marriage to Shirley on February 24, 1962 in Minneapolis, MN where he worked as a brick-layer and a gas station attendant. Later, they returned to the Bottineau area where they raised their family. He farmed and did carpentry for many years until he became the custodian at Bottineau High School for about 20 years. In January of 2013, they moved to Jamestown where they enjoyed being more centrally located around their children. In 2024, they spent a brief time in Billings, Montana, and then moved to Fargo, living there to the present time.

Norman loved the outdoors especially planting vegetables, flowers and trees. He enjoyed woodworking, and liked reading, especially books by Louis L’Amour. He was filled with joy when he was with his grandchildren; built many projects with them, went for rides on the tandem bike, took them fishing, and even let them paint a football field on the basement floor. He was known for his smile and jovial nature as he would joke around with everyone.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley-Fargo; children: Matthew (Carrie)-Perth; Mark (Sheila)-Warsaw; Michelle (Gerard)-Billings, MT; Suzanne-Willmar, MN; daughter-in-law, Peggy-Jamestown; Lawrence (Heidi)-Barnesville, MN; James (Sheri)-Menoken; 27 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and siblings: Sr. Cecilia, Alice, Grace, and Michael.

Norman is preceded in death by his parents; son, Stephen; siblings Edward, Rose Marie, Theresa, Marguerite, Laurence, Helen, Aime, and Eugenia.

Mass of Christian Burial: 10:00 a.m., Friday, January 30, 2026 at St. James Basilica, Jamestown, with the Very Reverend C.F. Wilhelm celebrating.

Prayer Service: 7:00 p.m., Thursday, January 29, 2026 at St. James Basilica, with a rosary beginning 6:30 p.m.

Visitation: 5:00p.m.-7:00 p.m. before Prayer Service at St. James Basilica.

Burial: Calvary Cemetery, Jamestown.