Jack Norton

Jack Seymour Norton, 80, of Nisswa and Brainerd, died peacefully at his home Friday, May 4, 2007. Funeral Services for Jack will be 3 PM, Wednesday, May 9, 2007 at the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter with Elder Les Pagel officiating. Friends may call starting at 2 PM on Wednesday. Following the service there will be a lunch served. Interment will be 10 AM, Friday, May 11 at Evergreen Cemetery in Brainerd. Memorials preferred.
He was born in Crosby village February 27, 1927 to Alton L. and Marie (Belliveau) Norton. Jack went to school in Brainerd area. In September 1943, Jack enlisted in the US Navy at the age of 16. He had basic training in Great Lakes, IL before being sent to Davisville, RI to receive special training. He became a Seabee and was shipped out to Mairis Island. He served in WWII as an Electricians Mate in the Construction Battalion, Second Class. He was discharged December 14, 1947.

After returning home, Jack moved to Chicago, IL and attended Westerville College for four years. Jack was a licensed Radio Telephone Operator by the Federal Communications Commission. He obtained his Bachelors Degree and became an Electronic Engineer. He went to work for Northrup Aviation for 15 years. Later he owned and operated AVID Electronics for 10 years. Jack was married to Dorothy Kelly. After retirement, the couple moved to Nisswa. Dorothy died of cancer, September 6, 1984. Jack met Dona Mae Marie Weaver May 4, 1996 at Widowed Friends dinner. Jack later became treasurer and President of Widowed Friends. The couple remained devoted to each other and resided in Nisswa and Brainerd.

Jack fought a brave and courageous battle for 11 years with cancer and the last nine years with Progressive Supra Nuclear Palsy.

Jack loved many sports: bowling, archery, golf, horseshoes, Bocci ball, Frisbee, cards, and many other activities. He worked in his hobby shop and made a number of lawn ornaments, toy, and miscellaneous signs. He also worked for Tom Thumb for a number of years under his dear friend, Dorothy Stokke. Jack was a member of the American Legion and VFW.

He is survived by his beloved, Dona Mae Marie Weaver; his daughters, Sandra (Lloyd) Morea, of Cape Cod, MA and Linda Olechno, of Oklahoma; his grandchildren, Vladimir (Chris) Smirnov II, of Cape Cod, MA, William (Rosemary) Smirnov, of Cape Cod, MA, and Wendy (Denis) Colomb, of New Jersey; great-grandchildren, Vladimir Smirnov III and Lyla Lee Colomb; sister, Donna (Bernie) Jordan, of Hemet, CA; brother-in-law, Clarence (Shirley) Harting, of Brainerd; his nephews, Bob (Judi) Harting, of Brainerd, Steve (Cheryl) Harting, of Oregon, Jeff Williams, of WI and Scott Williams, of WI; his niece, Roberta Ginter, of WI; grand-nephews, Craig Harting, of Minneapolis, Wayne, Trevor, Chad, and Jed Harting, of Brainerd; and dear friends, Dorothy Smith, of Motley, Pete, Carol and David Waldor, of Nisswa, Bud and Betty Pagel, of Brainerd; all of the wonderful workers for Heartland Hospice; many more dear, devoted friends and all his angels who cared for him so lovingly.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Alton L. Norton (at age 67) and Marie Virginia Wicks (at age 97); his wife, Dorothy Virginia Norton (at age 52 on Sept. 6, 1984) beloved sister, Shirley Mae Harting (at age 77 on Jan. 30, 2007); and his beloved son-in-law, Vladimir Smirnov I, (at age 32); grand-nephew, Danny Harting (at age 37 in 2003) and many aunts, uncles and other family.

Services have been entrusted to Brenny Funeral Chapel of Baxter.