William Eugene Nordgren

William E. "Bill" Nordgren, 91, of St. James, died Tuesday, Sept. 29, at Pleasant View Good Samaritan Center in St. James, Minn. Born in St. Paul, Minn., on Sept. 18, 1924, Bill grew up in Olivia, Minn., and graduated with the class of 1943, then briefly studied journalism at the University of Minnesota. He married Marcella Nelson on Aug. 29, 1948, in Milan, Minn. For nearly 30 years, he served as the St. James Plaindealer's ever-present editor, reporter, columnist and photographer, chronicling the life and times of the community. Prior to that, he wrote for the Olivia Times-Journal and also worked as a railroad telegrapher and clerk on the Milwaukee Road, which sparked his lifelong interest in trains. Perhaps thanks to his Swedish and Czech heritage, Bill loved toe-tapping music - from polkas to big bands to the Minnesota Rouser - and played the drums from age 3 to age 88. Besides having a huge soft spot for his family, Bill had wide-ranging interests, many of which he shared with the readers of his "Snordgrenbord" or "Uncle Billy" columns: the bright "star" in the eastern sky was the planet Venus, how much rain we got last month (or any month), the history of the 1862 Dakota War or the James-Younger Gang. He enjoyed cheering on the Saints, Gophers, Twins and Vikings - as well as a sip of port wine and a good cigar. Remarkably, Bill remembered the names and faces of nearly everyone he ever met. Bill's many journalism honors included membership in the Minnesota Newspaper Association's Half Century Club for 50 years in the industry. He was inducted into the St. James Sports Hall of Fame and the St. James Wrestling Hall of Fame in recognition of his tireless coverage of high school sports through the decades. In retirement, he was active in the local historical society, Roundhouse model railroad club and summer Railroad Days festival, where he played the role of station agent at the Depot Museum. He is survived by daughters Nancy Nordgren Olsen, of St. Paul, Peggy (Phred) Young, of Mankato, and Kathy (Bryon) Christenson, of St. James; grandchildren Will Olsen and Ted Olsen, of Minneapolis, Holly Young and John Young, of Mankato, and Ben Christenson, Pete (Emily) Christenson and Erin Christenson, all of St. James; great-grandchildren Aedan Sannes and Layla Young, and sister-in-law Pattiann Nordgren, of Edina. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marcella; his brother, Earl, and his parents. Visitation 1 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm Thursday, October 1, 2015 Sturm Funeral Home, St. James Chapel 906 - 10th Ave. S. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Visitation 2 9:30 am - 10:30 am Friday, October 2, 2015 Augustana Lutheran Church- St. James 603 Armstrong Blvd. N. PO Box 151 Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Service Information 10:30 am Friday, October 2, 2015 Augustana Lutheran Church- St. James 603 Armstrong Blvd. N. PO Box 151 Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Interment Information Mt. Hope Cemetery, St. James S. CR 27 St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Fellowship Lunch will be served in the church fellowship hall following burial.