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retractable bleachers will be installed in time for the town's all-class reunion this
summer. The new bleachers have handrails and stairways to make them more
accessible for senior citizens who want to watch the basketball team.
This fall, Asbjornson returned to Winifred on the weekend the high school football
team won a state quarterfinal game. Wearing a light leather jacket on the chilly
Montana morning he naturally was cold, but he also was inspired.
By the time the team hosted its first-ever semifinal game, visiting and home fans
were sitting on enclosed bleachers heated with radiant propane.
"He wanted a nice set of bleachers for us to be proud of, that was his main criteria,"
Wooderchak said. "He's amazing."
Winifred isn't the only town to benefit from Asbjornson's attention. He's planted
hundreds of trees in Tulsa, Okla., where he now lives.
Last year, he also donated more than $600,000 to MSU in cash and equipment to
build a new heating, ventilation and air-conditioning laboratory for the engineering
school.
In 2003, he created a $1 million scholarship for graduates of Montana schools with
100 or fewer students.
In honor of his parents, he created a scholarship awarded to needy students from
Fergus or Petroleum counties who overcome personal adversity.
When he headed the MSU Foundation board, he raised $22.8 million for the
university, one of the highest yearly totals in school history.
Asbjornson estimates that about 50 students take advantage of his scholarships in
any given year. "I'm getting a chance to influence the lives of generations of children,"
he said.
Of all his work, Asbjornson is proudest of what he's done for one family. Raised in
Winifred, Gordon and Mary Wichman were looking to return to provide the small-town
experience for their children.
One of their visits was timed with one of Asbjornson's regular phone calls looking for
new investment ideas.
Hearing about their work with foster children, Asbjornson decided to build the
Wichmans a new house on four acres in Winifred.
The move made it possible for the family — a mix of adopted, foster and biological
children — to expand from eight children to 13, each knowing that they will be able to
afford college thanks to the scholarships Asbjornson created.
The children have been embraced by the community, joined afterschool activities and
learned responsibilities from caring for dogs, horses and even a pot-bellied pig, the
Wichmans said.
Though they intended to pay rent, the Wichmans haven't paid a dime for the 12-
bedroom, 4.5-bath house, complete with two dishwashers, a dining room table big
enough to seat everyone and a game room packed with pool and air-hockey tables.
Because of Asbjornson's generosity, Mary Wichman is able to stay home and take
care of the children, who range in age from 2 to 17. Three have left home for college.
Last year, each child got a Christmas present from Asbjornson. This year, he sent
cash and instructions for big group gifts.
"It's so hard to put in words all Norman has done for us and what it means to us,"
Mary Wichman said. "I feel Norman knows what a special place Winifred is, and how
not only he gives, but how the community has opened their arms to all of us and
welcomes every child and makes them feel special."
Frank Carr, a contractor and Asbjornson's second cousin, has taken on the role of
executing most of his ideas.
He estimates that he and his four employees have spent between 50 and 80 percent
of their time in the last five years building bleachers and buildings under Asbjornson's
orders.
Carr and his crew are currently constructing a 75-foot-by-126-foot steel building that
he's negotiating as a potential space for a Lewistown sign business that's looking to
expand. The business would employ between 10 and 15 people.
They're also working on fixing up the old one-room Flax School House, which was
moved to Winifred with the intention of eventually drawing tourists. So far, they've
fixed the bell tower and added new siding and windows.
Down the road, Asbjornson plans to build an eight- to 10-room motel. As it stands,
Winifred only has a three-room apartment it can rent to visitors.
Asbjornson also has given the city enough money to put in curbs and gutters on all of
its streets, of which only Main Street is paved. Money also was set aside to put in
sidewalks around the school.
Next spring and summer, Carr will turn his energy to building a new shelter at the city
park, which, in addition to trees, has new trails and playground equipment thanks to
Asbjornson.
"He's very interested in seeing things happen," said Arthur, who took on getting the
town museum running.
Asbjornson's effort has inspired others in town to fix up their properties. Some added
Asbjornson's signature red roof and white paint, chosen because they are Winifred's
school colors.
Carr said he wants that to be Winifred's calling card.
Other donations paid for books for the library and exhibits for the museum.
"I'm hoping that what I'm doing will inspire others," Asbjornson said. "I've been
fortunate, lucky — whatever you want to say. Everyone can do more than they do.
They just have to be inspired to do it."
summer. The new bleachers have handrails and stairways to make them more
accessible for senior citizens who want to watch the basketball team.
This fall, Asbjornson returned to Winifred on the weekend the high school football
team won a state quarterfinal game. Wearing a light leather jacket on the chilly
Montana morning he naturally was cold, but he also was inspired.
By the time the team hosted its first-ever semifinal game, visiting and home fans
were sitting on enclosed bleachers heated with radiant propane.
"He wanted a nice set of bleachers for us to be proud of, that was his main criteria,"
Wooderchak said. "He's amazing."
Winifred isn't the only town to benefit from Asbjornson's attention. He's planted
hundreds of trees in Tulsa, Okla., where he now lives.
Last year, he also donated more than $600,000 to MSU in cash and equipment to
build a new heating, ventilation and air-conditioning laboratory for the engineering
school.
In 2003, he created a $1 million scholarship for graduates of Montana schools with
100 or fewer students.
In honor of his parents, he created a scholarship awarded to needy students from
Fergus or Petroleum counties who overcome personal adversity.
When he headed the MSU Foundation board, he raised $22.8 million for the
university, one of the highest yearly totals in school history.
Asbjornson estimates that about 50 students take advantage of his scholarships in
any given year. "I'm getting a chance to influence the lives of generations of children,"
he said.
Of all his work, Asbjornson is proudest of what he's done for one family. Raised in
Winifred, Gordon and Mary Wichman were looking to return to provide the small-town
experience for their children.
One of their visits was timed with one of Asbjornson's regular phone calls looking for
new investment ideas.
Hearing about their work with foster children, Asbjornson decided to build the
Wichmans a new house on four acres in Winifred.
The move made it possible for the family — a mix of adopted, foster and biological
children — to expand from eight children to 13, each knowing that they will be able to
afford college thanks to the scholarships Asbjornson created.
The children have been embraced by the community, joined afterschool activities and
learned responsibilities from caring for dogs, horses and even a pot-bellied pig, the
Wichmans said.
Though they intended to pay rent, the Wichmans haven't paid a dime for the 12-
bedroom, 4.5-bath house, complete with two dishwashers, a dining room table big
enough to seat everyone and a game room packed with pool and air-hockey tables.
Because of Asbjornson's generosity, Mary Wichman is able to stay home and take
care of the children, who range in age from 2 to 17. Three have left home for college.
Last year, each child got a Christmas present from Asbjornson. This year, he sent
cash and instructions for big group gifts.
"It's so hard to put in words all Norman has done for us and what it means to us,"
Mary Wichman said. "I feel Norman knows what a special place Winifred is, and how
not only he gives, but how the community has opened their arms to all of us and
welcomes every child and makes them feel special."
Frank Carr, a contractor and Asbjornson's second cousin, has taken on the role of
executing most of his ideas.
He estimates that he and his four employees have spent between 50 and 80 percent
of their time in the last five years building bleachers and buildings under Asbjornson's
orders.
Carr and his crew are currently constructing a 75-foot-by-126-foot steel building that
he's negotiating as a potential space for a Lewistown sign business that's looking to
expand. The business would employ between 10 and 15 people.
They're also working on fixing up the old one-room Flax School House, which was
moved to Winifred with the intention of eventually drawing tourists. So far, they've
fixed the bell tower and added new siding and windows.
Down the road, Asbjornson plans to build an eight- to 10-room motel. As it stands,
Winifred only has a three-room apartment it can rent to visitors.
Asbjornson also has given the city enough money to put in curbs and gutters on all of
its streets, of which only Main Street is paved. Money also was set aside to put in
sidewalks around the school.
Next spring and summer, Carr will turn his energy to building a new shelter at the city
park, which, in addition to trees, has new trails and playground equipment thanks to
Asbjornson.
"He's very interested in seeing things happen," said Arthur, who took on getting the
town museum running.
Asbjornson's effort has inspired others in town to fix up their properties. Some added
Asbjornson's signature red roof and white paint, chosen because they are Winifred's
school colors.
Carr said he wants that to be Winifred's calling card.
Other donations paid for books for the library and exhibits for the museum.
"I'm hoping that what I'm doing will inspire others," Asbjornson said. "I've been
fortunate, lucky — whatever you want to say. Everyone can do more than they do.
They just have to be inspired to do it."