Norbert E. Nilsson

Norbert Nilsson entered eternal life on February 2, 2023. 

 

Norbert was born on a farm in Gary, SD, the sixth of eleven children to Otto and Mary Agnes (née Bergeron).  As the Great Depression grew and drought severely affected the farm, Norbert and family moved to St. Paul where his father found employment. 

 

Norbert attended St. Stanislaus Elementary and Monroe High School.  He served as a Merchant Marine during WWII aboard a tanker delivering crude oil, fuel, and P-51 Mustang fighter aircraft to ports in Africa, India, and the Middle East.  He was awarded the Presidential Testimonial Letter, Honorable Service button, Atlantic and Pacific War Zone medals, Mediterranean-Middle East War Zone medal, Victory medal, and Merchant Marine emblem.

 

He married Marie Wollschlager in 1950 and joined the St. Paul Police Force that same year.  Norbert enjoyed the great outdoors and seeing the U.S.  He took his growing family on camping trips to Canada, Northern Minnesota, and California, and captured many great photos of their trips. 

 

After retiring in 1976, he and Marie moved to Askov, MN, and operated a small dairy, beef, and vegetable farm.  Their future homes included Sandstone, MN; New Richmond, WI; and Roseville, MN.

 

Though legally blind, Norbert made beautiful, functional furniture and enjoyed wood crafting, taking his tools to future retirement homes in New Richmond and Roseville.

 

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marie; parents; siblings, Helen, Frances, Bernice, Lawrence, Robert, Annabel, Arthur, James, John; and son-in-law, Harold Anderson.

 

Surviving Norbert are children, Barbara, Susan (Jim Davis), Mark (Brenda), Robert (Meredith Wu), Rita Dalbec, Anne (Jeff Barnett), and Lawrence; ten grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; sister, Cecilia; and many extended family members.

 

Memorial service 11:00 AM Saturday, May 13 at Mueller-Bies Funeral Home-Roseville, 2130 N. Dale St. Visitation 10-11 AM Saturday.  Private interment Ft. Snelling National Cemetery.

 

Please no flowers or plants.  If you wish to make a donation in his memory, consider Little Sisters of the Poor, ATTN Jeanie Greene, 330 Exchange Street S, St. Paul, MN 55102; the Society of St Vincent dePaul, ATTN Wayne Bugg, 2939 12th Avenue S, Minneapolis, MN 55407; or the School Sisters of Notre Dame, 320 E Ripa Ave, St Louis, MO 63125  .