Barbara Nornes

Barbara Nornes, 90, of Ortonville, MN, passed away on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at Ortonville Area Health Service in Ortonville. 

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at First English Lutheran Church in Ortonville, MN. Visitation will be Friday, November 28, 2025, at the church from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and will continue one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Burial will be at Mound Cemetery in Ortonville. 

The service will be livestreamed and recorded and will be viewable at the bottom of this page.

Barbara Gretchen (Paulson) Nornes was born on January 27, 1935, to Leonard and Judith (Trandem) Paulson in Woodside Township of Polk County, MN. She was baptized and confirmed at Rodnes Lutheran Church. She grew up on a farm and attended elementary school at Maple Grove Country School (her teacher was Olga Ness, grandmother of her future daughter-in-law) and graduated from Erskine High School in 1952.

On December 25, 1953, Barbara was united in marriage to Roger Nornes. He was in the Army and home on a three-day pass from Fort Riley, Kansas. She finished her teaching degree at Bemidji State. Barbara taught school in Bemidji, Rapid River, MI, Fosston, Thief River Falls, and Ortonville, MN.

They moved to Ortonville in 1964, where she began 29 years teaching her very favorite… Kindergarten. She was such an impactful teacher. Her fingerprints continue to be seen everywhere. Teaching and loving children didn’t end in the classroom. Mothering her two children, their friends, and everyone around her was a full-time vocation. She was a Boy and Girl Scout leader and taught children at First English Lutheran, where she was still a member. She was a formidable leader and organizer in everything from golf tournaments to Altar Guild. Most important to her was to do God’s work with a servant-filled heart.

Through the years, Roger and Barbara were busy volunteering around Ortonville. Some highlights were volunteering for the Summer Olympics and several PGA Golf Tournaments. She frequently said how grateful she was that they had traveled and experienced so much. During their nearly 72 years of marriage, caring for Roger was always her joy; in later years, it became her full-time focus.

Left to cherish her memory is her husband, Roger; her children: Jeff (Kris) Nornes of Erskine, MN; and Jacalyn Nornes of Crosby, MN; three grandchildren: Casey (Alyssa) Nornes of Hutchinson, MN; Riley Nornes of St. Paul, MN; and Indiana (Ivan) Holm of Fargo, ND; three great-grandchildren: Thatcher, Lilah, and Judson Nornes; a sister, Linda Ranisate of Bagley, MN; nieces and nephews: Lori and Steve Randall of Ramsey, MN; Jacob (Hazel) and Addison, and Leah and Chris Swenby, Caleb and Caiden of Fertile, MN. Preceding her in death were her parents: Leonard and Judith; and three infant siblings: Roger, Dennis, and Janna; and brother-in-law, Lloyd Ranisate.

Blessed be her memory. 

In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to First English Lutheran Youth or Big Stone Healthcare Foundation.