Beverly J. Norlander

Beverly Jean Norlander age 82 of Ironton died on December 23, 2010 at her home. She was born April 22, 1928 , the third daughter of Frank and Mathilda (Kassler) Berg. She was born in Ironton, grew up on a dairy farm south of Ironton and attended Crosby- Ironton Schools. Upon graduating she worked at the First National Bank of Deerwood, before marrying Mel Norlander in 1948 and moved to Kansas City, MO where she worked in banks and Mel completed his education on the G.I. Bill. They returned to the Minneapolis area where Mel started a business and they raised their family. Always interested in children, in the 50's Beverly acted as treasurer of a group of young Presbyterian mothers who started a kindergarten in the historic Oak Grove Presbyterian Church. The kindergarten operated for 3 years at which time the City of Bloomington caught up and added them to their public school system. In the 60's she did her bit as a Cub Scout Den Mother and Campfire Girls counselor. More recently, she and Mel sponsored a kinship child in this area for 6 years. She was a member of the Cuyuna Range Women's Club, the Myrin-James American Legion Auxiliary, Ironton, the Cascade United Methodist Church, Deerwood and the "Turtle Writing Group" of Richfield. Proud to say she ended her life where it began, on the family farm. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Mel, son Bradley, Sister, Francis Leino and a brother, Robert Berg. Survivors include her son James (Betty) Norlander, daugheters, Melanie Hunkins and Wendy Lynn Carr; 3 grandchildren, James Hunkins, Nicole and Michael Norlander; sisters, Dot Jones, Jackie Raymond, and Judy Lentner and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be 1 pm on Tuesday, January 4th at the Cascade United Methodist Church, Deerwood. Burial will be at the Lakewood Cemetery in Crosby. Friends may call 1 hour prior to the services at the church on Tuesday. Arrangements are with the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby. Memorials are preferred to the Cascade United Methodist Church.