Norbert John Olbrantz

January 10, 1942 – August 17, 2026

Norbert John “Norb” Olbrantz was born on January 10, 1942, the youngest son and youngest child of Julius and Hilda (Bushman) Olbrantz. He was born and raised in De Pere, Wisconsin, in the very same home.

As a boy, Norb was active and athletic, playing hockey, basketball, baseball, and football. Throughout his life, he loved sharing stories from those early years. One of his favorites was about going hunting with his brother before school. They would ride their bikes through the early morning and stop by the bakery where their father worked, where he would hand them fresh bread through the back door. They were simple memories, but they remained special to Norb throughout his life.

A Proud United States Marine

On June 30, 1959, at just 17 years old, Norb made the decision to forgo his senior year of high school and enlist in the United States Marine Corps. He joined alongside his childhood friend, Howard Van Erem, and the two attended recruit training in San Diego, California.

By becoming a Marine, Norb continued a proud family tradition of military service established by his four older brothers—three of whom also served as Marines, while another served in the Coast Guard Reserve.

For Norb, serving his country was far more than an occupation. It was a commitment he took seriously and a source of pride throughout his life. His love for his country was unconditional.

During his military career, Norb traveled to more than 23 countries and rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant. His Marine Corps career was ultimately cut short as a result of injuries he sustained during his service. In all, Norb proudly served his country for eight years, three months, and twenty days.

For his service, Norb earned numerous military decorations and awards, including:

Purple Heart Medal

Combat Action Ribbon

Presidential Unit Citation

Good Conduct Medal – First and Second Awards

National Defense Service Medal

Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

Vietnam Service Medal

Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm

Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal, First Class

Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal

Pistol Sharpshooter Badge

Rifle Expert Badge

His years in the Marine Corps were an important part of the man Norb became, and his pride in being a Marine remained with him for the rest of his life.

Family, Work, and a Life Built by Hand

On December 20, 1967, Norb married the love of his life, Georgianna O’Neil, in a full Marine Corps wedding ceremony at Oak Knoll Naval Chapel.

Following his military service, Norb returned to school and earned a degree in cabinetry. It was a fitting profession for a man who loved working with his hands, building things, and making things better than he found them.

Together, Norb and Georgianna raised three children: LeAnna, Lisa, and Raymond.

After their first daughter was born, the family moved to the foothills, where Norb built a home for them. There are plenty of family stories from those days—including LeAnna chasing chickens around the property, memories that may still haunt her today.

The family later moved to five acres of pear orchards, where Norb once again built a home and added a barn for his cabinetry work.

Building was simply part of who Norb was.

In fact, the family often joked that Norb could never stay in one place for too long. He would move somewhere, build or improve a house, make it beautiful, and work his way through an endless list of projects. Then, just as the “to-do” list started getting short, Norb would decide it was time to move again and start all over.

Through his example, Norb taught his children and grandchildren the value of hard work, determination, self-reliance, and taking pride in what you do.

He also loved gardening and had perhaps the greenest thumb of anyone around. Norb could seemingly make anything grow—especially rhubarb, a longtime family favorite, along with his pickles. His love of gardening became another tradition he was able to share with his grandchildren.

Of course, all that green may have had something to do with Norb’s lifelong devotion to his beloved Green Bay Packers.

GO PACK GO!

Service to His Community

Norb's desire to serve others did not end when he left the Marine Corps.

After moving to the California coast, he founded an organization in Fort Bragg called DIAL – Disabled In Action League, advocating for and supporting people with disabilities. He also served his community for many years as a member of the Fort Bragg City Council.

Norb believed in being involved, helping others, and making the community around him a better place.

He especially loved the ocean.

One of the places where Norb found the greatest peace was on the deck he built overlooking the water. Each night, he would go out onto that deck, look over the ocean, and say his prayers.

It was a quiet ritual that reflected much about the man he was—his faith, his appreciation for the life he had been given, and his ability to find peace in the beauty around him.

His Family

Above all else, Norb's greatest legacy is the family he leaves behind.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Georgianna Olbrantz; their three children, LeAnna King Gilbert of North Las Vegas, Nevada; Lisa and Jesse Resner of Clayton, North Carolina; and Raymond and Maria Olbrantz of Las Vegas, Nevada.

He is also survived by his seven grandchildren: Zachariah King, Desiree King, Riley Gilbert, Drew (Ashley) Olbrantz, Taylor Olbrantz, Jenna Resner, and Jack Resner; three great-grandchildren, Teya King, Jamacus Frazier, and Elijah King, and his sister-in-law, Priscilla Olbrantz, wife of his late brother Gerald.

Norb was preceded in death by his parents, Julius and Hilda (Bushman Miller) Olbrantz; his brothers, Julius (Aura) Olbrantz, Norman (Rene) Olbrantz, Gerald Olbrantz, and Charles (Rita) Olbrantz; and his sisters, Patricia (Joseph) Hendricks and Beatrice (Jerome) Wellens.

A Life of Service

Norb lived a life defined by service—to his country, his community, and, most importantly, his family.

He was a United States Marine, a husband, a father, a grandfather, a great-grandfather, a craftsman, a gardener, a community servant, a Packers fan, and a man who was never afraid of hard work or another project.

He built homes. He built a business. He planted gardens. He served his community. He traveled the world. He raised a family. And wherever life took him, he continued building—not simply with his hands, but through the people and communities whose lives he touched.

At Norb's funeral, Military Funeral Honors will be rendered in recognition of his honorable service to the United States of America. The American flag will be presented to his wife, Georgianna, and Taps will be played in his honor.

It is a fitting final tribute to a man who first raised his hand to serve his country at only 17 years old and carried the pride of being a United States Marine with him throughout the rest of his life.

Semper Fidelis.