Marjorie Jean Nortin

Marjorie “Marge” Nortin passed away peacefully at home on March 26, 2020, in Katy, TX, her husband and children by her side.  Because of the current restrictions on social gatherings, a private graveside funeral was held at Pine Ridge Cemetery in Emily, MN.

Born December 9, 1934, in Cloquet, MN, Marge was the only daughter and youngest child of Cecil and Florence (Vanstrom) Carlton.  Shortly after her birth, her family moved to Emily where she spent her childhood and in 1952, graduated from Crosby-Ironton High School.  That fall, she began classes at Macalester College where she later met Richard Nortin, the love of her life.  Marge completed her studies in 1956, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a teaching certificate.  She and Richard married on September 1st that same year, and over the next decade, four children were born to the couple.

Marge taught school full time for only a few years before taking time off to focus on her family.  When she returned to the workforce, however, she traded in her No.2 pencils for a typewriter and a secretarial position in the medical field.  Nonetheless, over the years she continued to occasionally work as a substitute teacher, and she even served as a county juvenile officer for a short time.  It wasn’t until she went to work as an executive assistant to the chief of pathology at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX, however, that Marge found her professional home; she retired from there 23 years later in 2000.

A woman of unwavering faith and boundless love, Marge was a wonderful roll model for her children and grandchildren, all of whom she was incredibly proud.  She taught them the importance of family and friends, and most importantly, to love each other and God above all things.  She felt closest to Him and most at peace when sitting on the deck of the family cabin surrounded by the trees, birds, and chipmunks.

Marge is survived by her devoted husband of more than 63 years, her children Kathy (David) Graeff, Paul (Cheryl) Nortin, Melissa Renner, Marit “Malena” (Ray) Lopez, and foster-daughter April Youngblood as well as 15 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Van and Del Carlton, and granddaughters Stephanie Favorite and Katlin Collins.