Zay Norman, 59, of Hayes, SD, died Monday, January 31, 2022, at Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Visitation will be from 5:00pm to 7:00pm on Sunday, February 6th at the Pat Duffy Community & Youth Involved Center in Fort Pierre, with Masonic Rites by the Hiram Lodge Fort Pierre and a Time of Sharing beginning at 7:00pm. Funeral services will be 10:00am on Monday, February 7th also at the youth center. The funeral can be viewed here:

Zay Allen Norman was born July 16th, 1962, in Pierre, South Dakota to Gaylord and Alice (Mork) Norman. He was the 3rd child out of 5. He grew up on his family’s ranch 25 miles northwest of Hayes, South Dakota and continued to live there his whole life. He was a rambunctious kid who may have single handedly turned his mom’s hair white. He attended country school at Cheyenne School during elementary and middle school. He was a trickster and played pranks on his classmates and teachers. During high school, he attended Riggs in Pierre where he made lifelong friends. He participated in cross country for 1 year which was the worst decision of his life, and football during high school. He was also involved in 4 Corner’s baseball. He then attended college at Black Hills State for 1 ½ years and played college baseball. He was catcher and enjoyed playing for Coach Cliff Papik, his cousin. His favorite college class was flag football. After taking typing class, he decided college wasn’t for him and returned to ranching.

He married the love of his life, Carrie Gerber, on September 23rd, 1989 at St. John’s Catholic Church. They loved traveling, eating good food, and drinking great wine. They had 2 daughters who he loved very much. They both also drove him crazy, especially when they gave him a taste of his own medicine. He loved gardening and making wine with Hailey. He loved starting lively debates with Shantel which he knew would irritate her. He was very proud of both his daughters and was only prouder when they both married men that Zay loved as his own.
Zay loved scuba diving and golfing with his good buddy Todd Mortenson. When his daughters were in high school, he never missed a game thanks to his traveling partners Carrie and his cousin Mitch Norman. After he went blind, he loved riding along with his friend and business partner Cole Briggs. He also enjoyed ranching, riding horses, driving his wagon team, hunting deer with his daughters, and hunting pheasants with his Pheasant Camp buddies. He was always the life of the party and friend to all. His grown man giggle was contagious. If he ever walked into a place where he didn’t know someone, he would quickly make friends. He gave everyone a chance no matter their past.

Zay was active in both the Hayes and Fort Pierre communities. He was a member of the Hiram Lodge #123 Fort Pierre, the Scottish Rite, and the Naja Shriners. He was on the 4 Corners Fire Department, serving as chief at one time. Zay was on the Verendrye Museum Board of Directors. He helped organize and participated in various trail rides, including the Pony Express rides. He was also a member of the Hayes Drama Club. Zay was a member of the South Dakota Cattleman’s Association and once served as director. He was also a member of the West Central Cattleman’s Association and regional vice president. Former Governor Dennis Daugaard appointed him to the Board of Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired and then Governor Kristi Noem reappointed him. He has served on this board since July of 2018.

Zay is survived by his wife Carrie of Hayes; daughters Shantel (Jake) Fanger of Hayes, Hailey (Rhett) Bothwell of Philip; dad Gaylord Norman and step-mom Betty; brothers Michael (Lori), Mork (Robin), and Marty (Martha); sister Jill (Kevin) Mutchelknaus; brother-in-law Gaylon (Cindy) Gerber; sister-in-law Kelly (Emmet) Warkenthien; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his mom Alice; mother-in-law Geri Gerber; father-in-law Norbert Gerber; grandparents Ted and Anna (Ehrhart) Mork, and Roy and Edith (Fackelman) Norman.

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