Merwyn Nordby

Merwyn Nordby, age 79, of St. James died on Friday, February 24, 2012, at the Luther Memorial Home in Madelia. Funeral services will be 11:00am, Thursday, march 1, 2012, at First Lutheran Church in St. James with Rev. Ken Bowman officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery with military honors provided by the St. James Veterans Honor Guard. Visitation will be Wednesday, February 29, 2012, at Sturm Funeral Home in St. James from 5pm until 8pm and will continue one hour prior to the services at the church on Thursday. You may send the family condolences online at www.sturmfh.com. Merwyn B. Nordby was born February 6, 1933 in Willmar, MN, to Lester and Lena Nordby. Merwyn enjoyed growing up on farms near Brainard and Montevideo, MN. Merwyn attended school near his homes and enjoyed 4H activities. He joined the US Air Force in January 1952 and trained as an aircraft mechanic. He was stationed in Boca Raton, FL, in fire rescue. Merwyn was unted in marriage to Marlene Buchholz, of Granite Falls, April 5, 1954 in Boca Raton, FL. After his military service they returned to Minnesota where Merwyn worked various jobs including at a grain elevator in Granite Falls, fertilizer plants in Montevideo and Willmar. In 1968, they moved to St. James where he worked for Monsanto Agra Chemical for 18 years and Rhone-Poulene Ag Co. for 10 years. Merwyn truly enjoyed his work as a sales rep. He loved to restore vintage cars. He completed a 29' Ford Roadster, 29' Ford 2 door, 30' Ford pickup, 66' Ford Mustang convertible and 41' Ford convertible. He was a member of Prairie Land Car Club. He loved his home on Long Lake. He enjoyed traveling, fishing, boating, and fun times with his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a member of First Lutheran Church where he served as a deacon, usher and communion server. He is survived by his wife; Marlene Nordby of St. James, 5 children; Lonnie Judy Nordby of Phoenix, AZ, Randy Janae Nordby of St. James, Chari Jeff Anderson of Lake Stevens, WA, Hope Kevin Malmgren of St. James, Scott Erika Nordby of Sartell, 9 grandchildren; Mat Nordby, Jon Nordby, Joseph Nordby, Luke Brooke Malmgren, Ryan Meredith Nordby, Anthony Nordby, Gregg Nordby, Kaden Nordby, Lily Nordby, 8 great-grandchildren; Peyton, Madelyn, Reese, Kendall, Brody, Brenley, Bayler, Aiden, brother; Leroy Nordby of Nisswa, brothers-in-law; Merlin Sylvia Buchholz of Granite Falls, Merald Barb Buchholz of Granite Falls, a sister-in-law; Lorraine Jon Gullickson of Marshall and many treasured nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; Lester Lena Nordby, brother; Darrell Nordby, In-laws; Ernie Lorena Buchholz and sister-in-law; Harriet Nordby. Visitation 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm Wednesday, February 29, 2012 Sturm Funeral Home, St. James 906 10th Ave. S. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Service Information 11:00 am Thursday, March 1, 2012 First Lutheran Church- St. James 719 6th Ave. S. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081