Born September 4, 1929 in Chicago, IL, he earned a degree in architecture from the University of Illinois and maintained an avid interest in design throughout his life. Norm married the love of his life, Lois Sternloff on May 17, 1952, and remained her partner until his death. He designed the Abplanalp family home in 1955 where he and Lois resided until 2012. In retirement Norm rekindled a love for watercolor and was an active artist with paintings featured in local art shows. He loved art, music, travel, gardening, cooking and spending time at the family lake house in Wisconsin. Norm’s greatest passion was for his family; wife Lois to whom he was married for 67 years, son Charles and Elizabeth (Gosma) Abplanalp, daughter Susan McDougle, grandchildren Lauren (Abplanalp) and Dan Burseth, Jonathan and Katy (Dragich) Abplanalp, Meghan McDougle, Erin (McDougle) and Eric Notson, Cameron Abplanalp and great granddaughter Kiera Burseth.

A memorial service celebrating Norm Abplanalp’s life will be held December 14, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 10 Deerfield Road, Deerfield, IL 60015 followed by a luncheon at the church. Memorial contribution may be made to Zion Lutheran Church.