Beverly J. Norlander

IRONTON — Beverly Jean Norlander, age 82, of Ironton, died on Dec. 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 50s 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 three years at which time the City of Bloomington caught up and added them to their public school system. In the 60s 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 six 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.