Gordon D. Noren, age 90 of Clintonville, passed away on Monday, July 21, 2014 at the Greentree Health & Rehabilitation Center, Clintonville.
Gordon was born on February 29, 1924 in Chisago City, Minnesota, the son of the late Henry and Marie (Swenson) Noren. He served in the U.S. Navy from April of 1943 until April of 1946 and was discharged as Electrician’s Mate First Class. Gordon then continued his education in Ames, IA Electrical School. On May 31, 1956, Gordon married Saima Hakonen in Coleraine, MN. The couple lived at Riley Lake in northern Minnesota for 15 years. While living there, Gordon worked as head of the electrical department of Cleveland Cliffs Iron Mining. Later they moved to Grand Rapids, MN where the couple operated an apartment building. The Noren family later moved to Watertown, SD for about 10 years and in 1990, moved to Clintonville. Saima preceded her husband in death on September 11, 2009 after 53 years of marriage. Gordon was a member of the United Methodist Church, Clintonville, a life member of the VFW Post #664 of Clintonville, participating in the Honor Flight, and an active member of the Clintonville Lions Club, earning Lion of the year in 1998 and in 2004 and served as “McGruff” the crime stopping mascot in local schools. While living in Minnesota, Gordon started an ice skating rink which became a congregation spot for the community. In Clintonville, he was instrumental in coordinating and building the Gordon Noren skateboard park in Olen Park. Gordon will be missed as an inventor and a jokester. He will be remembered by his positive attitude and always doing for others.
Survivors include: his daughter, Paulette “Polly” (Rick) Goodell, Clintonville; his grandchildren: Zeb (Samantha) Goodell, SanFrancisco, CA, and Lewis (Edie) Goodell, Burnsville, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Saima, a sister and 5 brothers.
Memorial services will be held 11 a.m. Monday, August 11, 2014 at the United Methodist Church, Clintonville with the Rev. Keith Wolf officiating. Friends may call at the church on Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Military honors will be held at the church by the VFW Post #664 and the American Legion Post #63 of Clintonville. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Clintonville Park & Rec. Department, ear marked for the Gordon Noren Memorial Skateboard Park. The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory, Clintonville is assisting his family with the arrangements. An online guest book may be signed at www.eberhardtstevenson.com