Norman was born November 18, 1920 on a farm southwest of Craig, Iowa. His parents were W.E. (Ted) and Caroline (Gronemeyer) Barker. He attended rural schools through the eighth grade and graduated from Le Mars High School in 1939. He attended Western Union College (Westmar) for one year, helped his father farm, and served in the US Army from 1946-47, including 9 months in Japan. He then attended Iowa State University and received a two-year certificate in Farm Operations. While at Iowa State, he met Ruth Peterson of Sacramento, California and they were married October 7, 1951, at St John's Lutheran Church in Craig, Iowa. To this union, four children were born: Carolyn, Joann, James and Jean.

Norman and Ruth started farming in partnership with his father in 1952 and was an early promoter of soil conservation practices. He was a lifetime member of St John's Lutheran Church in Craig, Iowa where he served in many capacities and sang in the choir for over fifty years. He served on the Plymouth County board of education for three years during reorganizations, and later on the Le Mars Community School board for nine years during which time the new high school was built.

He served on boards of a number of farm organizations and was a 4-H leader for over ten years. In 1966 he was one of four Iowa farmers selected by Wallaces Farmer magazine as an Iowa Master Farmer. He was also honored to receive the Le Mars Community School District Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2013.

After moving to Le Mars in 1987 he continued to help at the farm, was involved in Rotary Club projects and did volunteer work at the Plymouth County Historical Museum.

He enjoyed being with family, woodworking, fixing things and traveling. He and Ruth were able to visit all fifty states and over twenty foreign countries. They hosted Ingrid, an international exchange student from Brazil, for the school year in 1975-76 and they were able to visit her family during one of their trips.

Norman took great pleasure in attending his grandchildren's activities and events. He enjoyed reading and was always learning, which was an example for his family. Although he was a quiet man, he influenced the lives of many inside and outside of his family with his calm and loving manner, integrity, and a strong relationship with God.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Don and Betty Peterson; niece, Susan Herring; many other relatives; and friends.

Norman's wife and family have been of support and encouragement to him, as he was to them. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Ruth of Le Mars: children: Carolyn (Wes) Peterson, International Falls, MN, Joann (Carl) Johnson, Le Mars, Iowa, James (Mary) Barker, rural Ireton, IA, and Jean (Corby) Fichter, Shenandoah, Iowa; grandchildren: Eric Peterson, Denver, CO, Rachel Schmerge, Portland, OR, Katy (Matt) Ridge, Clarinda, IA, Benjamin (Janelle) Johnson, rural Ireton, IA, Greta (Brian) Rouse, Emmetsburg, IA, Timothy (Lisa) Barker, Charleston, SC, Laura (Robert) Grandin, Huxley, IA, David (Gabby) Barker, Des Moines, IA, Adam (Marissa) Fichter, Ames, IA, Austin (Jourdan) Fichter, Gretna, NE, Heidi (Chris) Mandt, Clive, IA; great grandchildren: Kaylee and Andrew Ridge, Noah Johnson, Meredith and Ethan Rouse, Caleb, Micah and Ruthie Barker, Nathan and Hannah Grandin, Elaina Barker, Corrine and Heaven Fichter, Caroline Fichter; sister, Sharen (John) Gillette, Portland, OR; and nieces: Hilary (Nick) Gillette-Walch, Santa Cruz, CA, Nicole (Don) Bingham, Chapel Hill, NC; Karen (Dwight Frankfather) Peterson, Durango, CO, and Kristie (Greg) Ingwaldson, Albuquerque, NM.