Norgaard, Raymond C. 

88 11/28/1921 02/21/2010 Raymond C. Norgaard, 88, 
passed away of natural causes Feb. 21, 2010, in Missoula, 
Mont. Ray was born Nov. 28, 1921, near Westby, Mont., to 
Peder and Anna (Skeem) Norgaard. He spent his early 
years on the family farm. At age 15, Ray rode the rails to 
sunny California and worked as a gardener to the stars. He 
often told of sharing lemonade with the actress Loretta 
Young. He told stories, too, of working at a CCC (Civilian 
Conservation Corps) camp in Glacier Park during his late 
teens. He worked for a while at the Reynolds Aluminum 
plant in Longview, Wash. In 1942, he married Goldie 
Nelson of Westby. They were married for 37 years until her 
death. Ray served in the U.S. Army in New Guinea and 
Australia during World War II. After his discharge, he and 
Goldie farmed in the Westby area and began raising their 
family. Due to health problems they moved out to the 
West Coast. Ray bought shares in, and worked at Linnton 
Plywood near Portland until 1956 when the family returned 
to farming outside of Lewistown, Mont., for a short while. In 
1957, he came back to Portland and worked at the Safeway 
manufacturing plant. After his retirement from Safeway, he 
bought a small farm near Sherwood and later moved to 
North Portland after his marriage to Margie Nelson. He 
often visited his daughters and their families. Ray spent his 
last years back home in Montana, in the town of Ronan, 
near both his sons and their families. Ray was an 
exceptionally kind man. He loved to visit with family and 
friends and always shared his time, optimism and positive 
outlook freely with others. He loved children and was a 
wonderful dad. He took every opportunity to share love, 
laughter and good-hearted teasing. Ray is survived by his 
children and their spouses, Raymond C. Norgaard Jr. 
(Wendy), John P. Norgaard (Judy), Diana L. Cook (Cory), and 
Elaine Valle (Doug Vance). He also leaves grandchildren, 
Heidi Marshall, Joel Norgaard (Amanda), Scott Norgaard, 
Tina Olsen (Don), Evan Norgaard, Austin Norgaard, Jesse 
Fowler, Jenny Fowler (Andy Bicking), Brenna Schaible, 
Charisse Nies (Rick), Sean Landon and Yesenia Valle; and 
great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Hetland (Travis), Tucker and 
Cody Olsen, Lyle and Elka Bicking, Savanna and DJ Frost 
and Hunter Young. Ray was preceded in death by his 
parents; wife, Goldie; brother, Paul Norgaard; and sisters, 
Ruth Olsen and Irene Norgaard. A memorial gathering to 
celebrate Ray's life will be planned at a later date.

Published in The Oregonian on March 14, 2010