Norbert E. Nier

Norbert Edward Nier of Green Bay, died Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at the age of 97.

He was born to the late Alex A. and Pearl M. (Williquette) Nier on August 4, 1922 in Howard, WI. Norbert graduated from Green Bay West High School in 1941.

Following high school, Norbert started in a machinist apprenticeship program with Kearny & Trecker Corporation, Milwaukee, Wisconsin September 2, 1941. He completed a portion of his apprenticeship and then attended St. Norberts College, however, he and the rest of his ROTC classmates were called to serve in the Army in March 1943 and told to report to Camp Grant, Ill.

Norbert served as a Medic in the United States Army with the Third Battalion of the 148th, 37th Infantry Division during World War II from October 1943 through December 1945. He served on New Caledonia, Guadalcanal and participated in the jungle campaign on Bougainville in the Solomon Islands. He also played an active part in the Luzon operation, particularly in the liberation of Manila. He was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Arrowhead, Meritorious Unit Award, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Service Medal, American Theater Service Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Star, and a Good Conduct Medal.

After World War II he returned to Howard and married his childhood sweetheart, Leona C. Greene, on January 12, 1946. Together they moved to Milwaukee where Norbert completed his machinist apprenticeship with Kearny & Trecker Corporation, graduating on December 17, 1948. Norbert was hired as a machinist at Diana Manufacturing in Green Bay and worked there from 1949 to 1979. After his retirement, Norbert helped his father and mother run Nier's Bar on Highway 29 by Chute Pond near Mountain, WI. After his parents passed away and the bar was sold, he took up small engine, bicycle and clock repair as hobbies. If he couldn't fix it, nobody could!

Surviving Norbert are; his sons, Terry and his wife Karen (Koenig) and Gary and his wife Karen (Wagnitz); four grandchildren, Kathy (Chris) Krueger, Sheri (Josh) Gaertig , Michael Nier and Bobbie Jo (Nick) Martin; eight great grandchildren Katie, Nick, Noel, Brandon, Garrett, Joshua, Emma, and Aiden; and three great-great grandchildren, Riley, Chamie and Bella, all of Green Bay. He is also survived by her sister-in-law Clarabelle Greene, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Leona; both parents; brother, Alex Jr; his sister-in-law Betty (Woodford) Nier; in-laws Clara Greene and Elmer Christianson; brother-in-law Melvin Greene; sister-in-law Delores (Greene) Sampo and her husband Vernon; a great-great grandchild; nephew Bernard Sampo; and many neighbors and friends.

Visitation for Norbert will be held on Friday, March 13, 2020 at Newcomer- Green Bay Chapel (340 S. Monroe Ave., Green Bay, WI 54301) from 12pm - 2:00pm. A funeral service will follow at 2:00 pm. Entombment will be at Fort Howard Memorial Park.