Vernon Neal Norell

Maple Grove - Norell, Vernon Age 89, died March 26th at his home in Maple Grove. He was born June 26th, 1935, in Smoky Hollow Township, near the towns of Remer and Hill City. His parents were Verona and Forest. He grew up with a love of hard work and spent his boyhood learning how to plant, harvest, fish, hunt, trap, chop wood, pick berries, and repair practically everything. Dad treasured his memories of his wonderful parents, his five brothers and sisters, his aunts and uncles, and the assorted characters that made up the small community. He was able to remember with clarity, and gratefulness, minute details of his youth. As Dad recalled it, he was five years old when a plane flew over the family's home on Windy Lake, and it was in that moment that he became determined to fly. After high school, he joined the Air Force, and used the GI Bill to attend flight school at Parks College in St. Louis, where he met and married Janet Moses. With Mom at his side, they moved to various states, following job opportunities, and making dear friends along the way. Dad's ultimate goal was flying for his beloved North Central Airlines. He served the airline with distinction as it changed from North Central, to Republic, and finally to Northwest Airlines. Dad was one of those lucky, rare people who truly loved his profession, and we remember him heading to work, in uniform, roaring off in his old car with a cup of coffee in hand and a smile on his face. In retirement, he and Mom enjoyed travel that took them as far as New Zealand, South America, and Alaska. He spent lots of time at the family home on Windy Lake and flying his float plane all over the north country, and had many canoe trips in the BWCA. He delighted in his grandsons, Avery and Noel. Vern is survived by a daughter, Karen Norell (husband Dung Truong, grandsons Avery and Noel Truong) and a son, Michael Norell, both of Golden Valley. He is also survived by siblings, Minerva Roeser of Litchfield, Carol Beha-Metzger of Edina, and Rodney Norell of Big Lake, in addition to nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Janet Norell, in 2007, his parents Verona and Forest, brother Darrell Norell, and sister Marie Schwappach. Burial will be at 2 pm, May 29th, at Lakeview Cemetery, Windy Lake. We will celebrate what would have been Dad's 90th birthday with a gathering of friends and family at Karen's home in Golden Valley on June 28th. Contact the family for details. www.Washburn-McReavy.com

Tributes

Vernon Neal Norell

June 26, 1935 - March 26, 2025

Tributes

Vernon Neal Norell

June 26, 1935 - March 26, 2025

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