Roger Nornes

Roger Nornes, age 92, of Ortonville, MN, passed away on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at Fairway View Neighborhoods.

Memorial services will be held on Monday, March 23, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at First English Lutheran Church in Ortonville, MN. Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 22, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at First English Lutheran Church with a prayer service beginning at 6:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Pastor Cheryl Rondeau-Bassett will officiate the service, and inurnment will be at Mound Cemetery in Ortonville.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Big Stone Healthcare Foundation or First English Lutheran Church.

The service will be recorded, livestreamed, and viewable below this obituary.

Roger Elias Nornes was born on November 17, 1933, in Erskine, MN, to Elias and Annette (Engevik) Nornes. Roger’s mother died when he was ten-years-old. He lived with various relatives in the Winger and Gatzke, MN, areas. After eighth grade, Roger went to live with his aunt and uncle: Gunhild and Malton Benson, in Erskine, MN, and cousins: Joyce, Jim, and Kerm Bensen, who became his family. He graduated from Erskine High School in 1951. On Christmas Day in 1953, he married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Paulson, and they were married for nearly 72 years.

After high school, Roger went to trade school and worked in autobody. He joined the United States Army and upon his honorable discharge utilized the GI Bill to earn his teaching degree at Bemidji State.

He began teaching in 1959 in Rapid River, MI. In 1963, he returned to Bemidji State to finish his master’s degree and in 1964 moved to Ortonville, MN, to teach Industrial Arts for the next 30 years. Roger spent these years sharing his talents, and sometimes patience, with the students of OHS. He would often say, “they are good kids, you just gotta hang with them long enough.” He refereed, built prom and play sets, and often met students at the school on weekends in order for them to finish projects. Roger spent many summers as a carpenter building and remodeling houses, rebuilding cars, golfing, fishing, watching sports, and helping friends. On his small farm, he even had the knack to make rock picking fun.

Roger was led by his faith and was a member of First English Lutheran Church. He sang with the choir and served on various boards. Roger was known to be able to fix almost anything (sometimes needing his sledgehammer) and lent a hand or his materials to whoever was in need. He volunteered on the Ortonville Area Hospital Board, Healthcare Foundation, at the Olympics, and several PGA tournaments.

Left to cherish his memory are his son, Jeff (Kris) Nornes of Erskine, MN; daughter, Jackie Nornes of Ironton, MN; grandchildren: Casey (Alyssa) Nornes of Hutchinson, MN; Riley Nornes of St. Paul, MN; and Indiana (Ivan) Holm of Fargo, ND; great-grandchildren: Thatcher, Lilah, and Judson Nornes; special cousins/brothers: Jim (Nancy) Bensen of Baldwin, WI; and Kerm (Sandy) Bensen of Bemidji, MN; sister-in-law, Linda Ranisate of Bagley, MN; and many special cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his wife, Barbara; parents: Elias and Annette; brother, Paul; cousin/sister, Joyce Anderson Olafson; brothers-in law: Lloyd Ranisate, Jim Anderson, Leonard Olafson, and sister-in-law, Ruby Bensen.

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