January 16, 1918 - April 18, 2014
Elmer Carl Nord, age 96, of Bloomington, passed away April 18, 2014. Retired US Navy veteran. Retired from the City of Bloomington.
Elmer Carl Nord was born to Signe and Edward Nord on January 16, 1918 in Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton South Dakota. His father owned the local hardware store in his hometown of Mission Hill SD while his mother took care of their 6 children. Elmer had a twin brother Clarence as well as two older brothers Ernie and Clifford, an older sister Florence and a baby sister Glennys.
Coming of age during the depression meant lean times where Elmer worked 10 hours a day in the grain fields for a meager $1 per day. He joined the Navy one week before his 19th birthday in 1937 earning $21 per month, hoping to save for his future college. During his military career he served on many aircraft carriers including USS Saratoga, USS Coral Sea, USS FDR, USS Midway, USS Ticonderoga and USS Saipan. He traveled the world aboard the carriers.
On November 8, 1944, Elmer married Lucy Marie List and started a family . At this time Elmer and Lucy debated about whether to make the Navy a career or get out and farm in South Dakota. After many prayers and debating the options, the Navy won out. After four boys, Elmer wanted a daughter, unfortunately they lost their first infant daughter. In 1960, Elmer finally got his daughter and named her Sandra "Joy".
In 1957 Elmer retired from the Navy and moved the family to Richfield, Minnesota. The family joined Berea Lutheran Church, where Elmer served as an Elder. He attended Dunwoody Institute and upon graduation was employed as the heating & air conditioning inspector for the City of Bloomington until 1985.
They built a home in Bloomington and joined Lutheran Church of the Redemption where he served in many ways, including keeping their heating and A/C running.
Elmer retired in 1985 and enjoyed several years of watching his family grow. After having so many boys, he greatly enjoyed seeing 5 straight granddaughters born: Andrea, Cathy, Amy, Beth and Amanda. He then saw two grandsons grow to manhood in Greg and Ian and 7 great grandchildren come along in Maggie, Jack, Jacob, Whitney, Eva, Olivia and Alexa.
Elmer celebrated his 96th birthday this past January surrounded by family. We celebrate his home going and rejoice that he is with Jesus now.
Survived by loving wife of 69 years, Lucy Nord; children, Glenn (Pam) Nord, daughter-in-law Sue and husband Tom Lee, Steve (Lynn) Nord, Jeff Nord, and Sandra (John) Stone; grandchildren, Andrea (Scott) Liechty, Cathy Welch, Amy (Kyle) Guerrero, Beth (Nik) Misner, Amanda Nord, Greg Nord and Ian Stone; great-grandchildren, Maggie, Jack, Jacob, Whitney, Eva, Olivia and Alexa; sister, Glennys Pederson; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Preceded in death by son, Tom Nord; infant daughter, Signe Nord; parents, Edward and Signe Nord; twin brother, Clarence Nord; brothers, Clifford Nord and Ernest Nord; sister, Florence.
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Camp Courage or International Lutheran Hour.
Elmer will be remembered for his kindness and gentleness and commitment to his family as well as his service to our country. We will keep the family in our thoughts and prayers as they experience the loss of one who was dearly loved by all.