Lifelong Skagit Valley farmer Norm Wallace passed away on his 65 ^th birthday, May 7, 2026, at his home in Bow, Washington surrounded by loved ones. Diagnosed with a rare and lethal chest cancer in August of 2025, Norm was determined to reach this milestone to ensure his critical farm knowledge was passed to the new generation of Wallace potato farmers.

Norm was born May 7, 1961, in Mt. Vernon, Washington to George and Grace (Balch) Wallace. He was raised on the family farm northwest of Burlington. He graduated from Burlington-Edison High School before pursuing higher education at Pacific Lutheran University and Oregon State University.

His career was defined by innovative approaches to spud farming. A natural problem solver, he was at his best working on complex problems and creating novel systems at the potato processing and storage facilities. If Norm couldn't repair or improve a piece of equipment, he would invent a better replacement.  Alongside his brother Jack and cousin Tim, he guided the farm through its transition from the era of founders George and Dick Wallace (uncle), to the present day.

Norm's devotion to the family and the farm was matched by his steadfast Christian faith. Baptized as a young man in the Jordan River, he remained devoted to the Lord and the scriptures. He was a long-time member of the Samish Island Memorial Chapel and more recently the Calvary Chapel. Norm's deep faith was manifest in the kindness, honesty, loyalty and charity that defined his life.

An adventurer at heart, Norm traveled the globe, visiting Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Peru, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, Germany and Mexico. Special travel memories included the historic Christian sites of the Middle East, camping overnight to witness a sunrise from the freezing summit of Mount Sinai, hiking the Inca trail, sailing the Nile in a felucca boat and a wild high-speed trip down the Mekong River. Closer to home, Norm was an excellent scuba diver and avid snow skier who made many friends on the ski bus. Norm's mechanical skills were on full display when he restored the farm's 1920's era antique tractors to pristine condition and exhibited them at regional shows.

Norm is survived by his longtime partner, Jennifer Smith; his brothers Mark (Jan), and Jack (Liz) and sister Joanne (Dan) Olson; seven nieces and nephews; and twenty-six first cousins. He was especially close to his cousin Tim whom he worked alongside for a half century. Norm also regarded the Wallace Farm crew as his friends and work family.  He was preceded in death by his parents George and Grace Wallace; infant brother Paul; all thirteen of his aunts and uncles; and nine cousins. Norm had a special connection with his Uncle Dick, with whom he worked for 30 years.

The family thanks Dr. Bruce Mathey and his team at the Skagit Cancer Care Center for their kindness, care and compassion.

A graveside service will be held May 16, 2026 at 11:00, at Greenhills Cemetery, Burlington, Washington, where he will be interred next to his favorite great uncle Lee Wallace. This will be followed by a memorial service at 1:00, at the Calvary Chapel, 13743 Avon Allen Road, Mt. Vernon.  Immediately following the service, all are invited to a celebration of life at Vanderveen Farm, 15673 Memorial Highway in Mt. Vernon, WA.

Share your memories of Norm and sign the online guest register.