Richard Erwin Nortin

Richard Nortin, 92, passed away peacefully on July 23, 2021, at the home of his daughter in Marion, IA, with his family by his side. 

Born September 8, 1928, in St Paul, MN, Richard was the second son of Paul and Ida (Wendt) Nortin.  His family moved out of state while he was young while his father looked for work during the Depression.  Eventually returning to the Twin Cities, Richard graduated from Concordia High School in St Paul in 1946, and spent a year at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN.  After learning how expensive it was for his parents to send him to a private school, he withdrew from Concordia and in 1948, enlisted in the US Army – he felt the GI Bill was the way to finance his education rather than having his parents suffer the burden.

Richard completed basic training at Fort Knox, KY and was stationed at Fort Benning, GA for a short time before being sent to Germany.  There he was stationed at Camp King in Oberursel where he served as a courier and clerk for top secret military documents.  He loved his time in Europe, especially having the opportunity to travel.  In his later years, he finally felt free to share stories of his service, and with the help of his daughter, Kathy, compiled a short book of his military adventures.

Following his discharge, Richard used the GI Bill to attend Macalester College in St Paul.  There he met the Marjorie “Marge” Carlton, the love of his life.  Richard completed his studies in May 1956, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in Journalism.  He landed his first advertising position that summer with Schuneman’s Department Store and the pair married on September 1st that same year.  Over the next decade, four children were born to the couple.  

Richard remained in advertising for more than 25 years, working for other companies such as the original Dayton’s Company, where he was part of the team that developed the Target store concept, Stark Brothers Nurseries, and Gordon’s Jewelers.  In the early 1990s, Richard decided to go out on his own as a printing broker, establishing Printing Cost Control, a company he operated until his retirement.

A man of unwavering faith and compassion, Richard adored his wife and was incredibly proud of his children and grandchildren.  He was happiest when he was with Marge—it didn’t matter where they were—surrounded by his family.  He loved to tell stories, laughed easily, and taught his children and grandchildren that “faith, family and friends” were the most important things in life, a belief he lived and promoted every day.  

Richard is survived by his sister, Doris Schmidt, his 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.  He was preceded in death by his parents,his wife, Marjorie “Marge”, an infant brother, and granddaughters Stephanie Favorite and Katlin Collins.

Funeral Services for Richard will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 2, 2021 at the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby.  Burial will be at the Pine Ridge Cemetery in Emily.  A visitation will be on Sunday at the funeral home from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and also one hour prior to the service on Monday.