Nordschow, Barbara (Orwoll) 1926 - 2019

NORDSCHOW, ORWOLL, OSSIE, MENDOZA, WIGGINS, WINSHIP

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/19/2024 at 21:00:45

Barbara Nordschow, age 93, of Decorah, IA, passed away on Friday, August 30, 2019, at the Barthell O.E.S Home in Decorah.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, September 14, 2019 at the Decorah Lutheran Church, 309 Winnebago St. in Decorah, with Rev. James Glesne and Rev. Allen Vik presiding, burial will be in Lutheran Cemetery, in Decorah.

Visitation will be from 9:00am until the time of service on Saturday morning at the Church. The Schluter-Balik Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Barbara was born February 8, 1926 to Edna and Osvald (Ossie) Orwoll. Living her early years in Decorah she graduated from the Decorah School District, then entered Luther College where she received her A.B. Degree in 1949. She loved music at Luther and was a Classical Soprano. Barbara earned her college money as a waitress at the Green Parrott in Decorah. After graduation she briefly taught English in Des Moines, IA. Then, married Carleton Nordschow September 2, 1950. Living in IA City, IA during the years Carleton studied and received his MD and PHD degrees, she began raising her family in the University of Iowa Quonset style student housing. Those years of barrack style living where the University of IA basketball Carver-Hawkeye Arena now sits were forever recalled as joyful, yet challenging as she raised her first two of three children and supported Carleton’s career. In Iowa City Barbara and Carleton built their first new home and had their third son, Brian. Barbara also got “Inky”, her first of many cats. Barbara loved cats, their antics and company throughout her years. She also loved turtles, toads, bugs and everything such as three sons would bring home for her to help care for. Building and moving into their second home with an inside apartment, Barbara took care of Irma, Carleton’s mother for her remaining years. She worked to support Carleton with numerous clerical duties and faculty responsibilities that came with his association to the university. In 1969 they moved to Indianapolis Indiana and Indiana University. About this time, Carleton had purchased a small acreage near Bluffton, IA which they kept and expanded and began to farm. During the summers and after Carleton’s retirement Barbara stayed with her family at the farm and she and Carleton enjoyed their retirement years together there. She loved crocheting, baking, doing puzzles, taking care of her flowers, crossword puzzles and reading books of all kinds.

Throughout her life, Barbara was a caring and loving wife, mom, daughter, sister, grandma and great grandma. She was thoughtful, sharing and supportive in every way. Her door was always open for a cup of coffee and good conversation. She will be sadly missed by all who knew her.

Barbara is survived by her three sons: David (Judy) Nordschow, McHenry, IL; Eric (Jan) Nordschow, Decorah, IA and Brian (Kelly) Nordschow, Decorah, IA along with six grandchildren: Nichole (Hector Mendoza) Nordschow, Jenna (Nate) Wiggins, Scott (Marissa) Nordschow, Cory Nordschow, Makenzie (special friend, Tyler) Nordschow and Brandon Nordschow. Two great great grandchildren: Carlton and Ossie Nordschow. Sisters-in-law: Colleen Orwoll and Darlene Winship along with several nieces and nephews.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband Carleton in 2002. Brother: Dean Orwoll. Parents Ossie and Edna (Holm) Orwoll. Father and mother-in-law: Carl and Irma Nordschow. Brother-in-law: Don Winship.

Source: Schluter-Balik Funeral Home database

Lutheran Decorah Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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