Norvel Dee Westover, age 89, of Ozark, Missouri, passed away on November 19, 2025, at home surrounded by his loving family and pets. Norval was born on July 5, 1936, in Burwell, Nebraska, to Leslie and Kathleen Westover. He graduated from Burwell High School in 1953. While in high school, Norval played football and earned an athletic letter in the sport. He also began his long love affair with rodeo and horses. Norval acquired a strong work ethic while working on his parent’s farm.

Norval married Zae Anderson on June 16, 1953. Zae was well known in the Palomino circuit. Together, Norval and Zae traveled to many towns across the sandhills of Nebraska with their children in a converted bread truck while competing in rodeos. Norval volunteered at Nebraska’s Big Rodeo and drove the ambulance for the Burwell Fire Department. He worked as a manager at the alfalfa mill in Burwell until he purchased a farm west of Burwell, where he could maintain their growing herd of horses. Fond of travel, Norval took his family on long driving vacations every year including the mountains of Colorado, Yellowstone National Park, and the Dakotas. They also went to the Seattle World’s Fair, Mexico, Arizona, Florida, and Lake of the Ozarks. Norval purchased his first truck which became a fleet of cattle trucks. He later worked at cattle operations in Kansas and northern Nebraska before moving to a ranch in southwest Missouri, and later to a farm in south of Ozark, Missouri. He represented veterinary medicine and continued to drive over-the-road trucks. Never retiring, Norval worked at MFA, Muffin’s Car Wash, and raised goats. He instilled in his children a great work ethic, love of travel, and compassion for animals.

Norval is survived by his son, Bryan Westover; daughter, Nola Essick and her husband, Merl, of Ozark; two sisters, Loma Johnson and Myrna Dubois, of Nebraska; and his steadfast dog, Ruger. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie and Kathleen Westover; wife, Zae Westover; brother, Troy Westover; sister, Mavis Ottens, and countless favorite horses.

Norval rode off into the sunset as was his style, but we know we will see him again because he left the gate open and fences to mend.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Greenlawn Funeral Home and Life Tribute Center in Ozark, Missouri.