Russell Nordness

Nordness, Russell “Russ” Thomas

West Palm Beach, FL – Russell “Russ” Thomas Nordness, age 81, of West Palm Beach, passed away on Sunday, September 29, 2019 at his home.  He was born on January 23, 1938 in Madison, WI, the son of Obert and Esther (Hellingson) Nordness.  Russ attended East High School and served in the U.S. Army.  He married the love of his life, Delores Whitman, on May 14, 1960. He called her his angel and loved to tell the story how they met and how he bought her a black velvet skirt so they could go out on a first date. They were married for 51 years.  He worked as an Industrial Painter for over 40 years in the Madison area.  

He was a member of the church of Christ and was baptized on March 25, 2004 and enjoyed working with the church in Marathon, FL setting up communion and serving there.  He enjoyed putting models together, all kinds of models, and was into trains, having put together his own track and little city to go with it.  He liked listening to music – especially Andre Rieu, and if you had the time he would invite you to sit and watch a video of Andre and his orchestra.  He also loved to go out to eat and to travel with his wife in his later part of life.  He was able to visit the many covered bridges in the Midwest and also go to the Badlands, Mt. Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Memorial and on another trip went to D.C. and visited a number of museums and memorials, and then up to Gettysburg and Niagara Falls and some places in Canada.  One of his favorite trips though was Saledo, Texas where he first tried country fried steak.  He brought that trip up the most when he would talk about his travels.  He also enjoyed living his last 7 years in Florida - enjoying the mild winters.  

He is survived by daughters, Linda (Nordness) Oser, Kathy (Nordness) Thompson, Son-in-law Tim Thompson, a son Robert Nordness; brother Oradell “Inky” Nordness, sister Genny (Nordness) Castagna, six grand-children Erin, Christopher, Cody, Stuart, Amanda, and Rebekah and six great-grandchildren Justine, Riley, Hollyn, Xander, Konner, and Avery.  He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; sister Celoris Hinz; four brothers, Eugene Nordness, Gerald Nordness, LaVerne Nordness, and Joe Nordness.  He also leaves behind many other family and friends whom he loved very much.

A special memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 5th, 2019 at the Jupiter-Tequesta Church of Christ at 11701 SE 171st Street, Jupiter, FL.  Another service will be held at a later date for family and friends up in Wisconsin.  Memorials may be made to Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp and sent to 2750 Saemann Ave., Sheboygan, WI 53018.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted into the care of the Lakeside Funeral Home & Cremation Care Family, "Where Every Life is Cherished & Every Family is Treasured" 

11347 Okeechobee Blvd., Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.lakesidefuneralcare.com for the Nordness family. 

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