Norlan Top

A funeral service for Norlan Top, age 81, of Arnolds Park, Iowa, will be held at 11:30 am, Monday, November 18, 2024, at First Presbyterian Church in Spirit Lake, Iowa. Interment will be at Newkirk Cemetery in Newkirk, Iowa prior to the service, at 9:30 am. A visitation will begin at 4 pm, Sunday, November 17, 2024, with the family present from 4-6 pm, at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Spirit Lake.

Norlan Top, age 81, of Arnold’s Park, Iowa, went to be with Jesus on November 10, 2024. He passed away at Ava’s House in Sioux Falls after a short battle with brain cancer. 

Norlan was born October 13, 1943, in Hull, Iowa. He was the first of 5 boys born to Clifford and Sophia (Bomgaars) Top. He went to school at Floyd Valley and Northwestern College. 

He met Rosalyn VanGorp at a gas station in Hospers. They married on August 17, 1965 and they had 2 children, Doug and Laura. He was the best dad who taught them many important things in life.

Nor was a man of many talents. There was nothing he could not build, sell or fix. He taught school and track for several years before starting a construction company. Over the years, he sold many things including pre-need funeral planning and won many awards for his outstanding work. He was a mentor to many, and just the best husband, dad, and grandpa around. After retirement, he continued to work as the local handyman, whether it be in Iowa or Arizona. There were very few people he did not help or fix something for. 

Nor loved his church and was a member of First Presbyterian church in Spirit Lake, Iowa. He loved to sing in the choir.

Nor got his first hole in one October of 2023. It was one of the best days of his life.

Nor and Rose were known as the lovebirds in Ava’s House. His eyes lit up when she came into the room. They held hands when they napped and enjoyed and cherished every minute they had left. 

Left to miss him forever are his wife, Rose Top; children, Doug (Amy) Top, and Laura (Terry) Torkildson; his 7+ grandchildren, Dylan (Carly) Top, Jacob Kohls, Benjamin Kohls, Samuel Kohls, Will Top, Lucas Torkildson and Sophia Torkildson; his brothers, Kenn (Jan) Top, Bob (Jeannie) Top, Loren (Tammy) Top, and Dave (Mel) Top; his brothers and sisters in-law, Jim (Audrey) Van Gorp, Grayce Berg, Nancy (Dick) Colbert, and Don Van Gorp. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.

Norlan was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Sophia Top; sister in-law, Cindy Top; parents-in-law, Marvin and Gertrude Van Gorp; brother-in-law, Ron Berg, and nephew David Berg.