John Axel Norberg was born in Everett, Washington on Aug. 1, 1930, to Erik Johannes Norberg and Selma Katarina Leontina Granstrom.
John had 3 sisters and 1 brother. John met Beverly Johnson in 1946. He graduated from Everett High School in 1949. Soon after graduation, he worked at JJ Newberry’s. John was drafted into the Army in 1951 and prior to being shipped out to the Korean War, John and Bev were married on Oct. 23, 1951 at the bedside of John’s mother. John and Bev raised 5 children, Mark Norberg, Kimberly ( Jon Warne), Scott (Kristi Norberg), Janelle (Jack VanBuskirk) and Lisa Rock (Mark Hall). They had eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
John worked as a Mason for Weyerhaeuser in Everett, Washington. He was a proud union member. John moved his family to Montesano in 1971 when he took a job as a Human Resource Manager for the Weyerhaeuser Cosmopolis Pulp Mill. John worked for The Weyerhaeuser Company for nearly 40 years before his retirement.
John was a devoted son, brother, uncle, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He was a huge fan of the Sonics, Mariners, Seahawks and Huskies. John was a life member of the Everett Elks #479 and a member of the Montesano Moose Lodge #1210. He enjoyed coaching Little League Baseball and Girls Fastpitch Teams, gardening, golfing, snowbirds in Mesa, Arizona and traveling.
One of John’s proudest accomplishments, besides his family, was being an Eagle Scout, Scout Master who took a Scout Troop to The World Jamboree in Japan, Explorer Scout and a distinguished Medal of Honoree of the Silver Beaver Award.
Our father had a favorite niece, Chris Polifroni, in which they had a sister/brother relationship with each other and her husband Nick, who each one of them would tease each other immensely. Wilma Cornwall was his sweetheart for the last 6 years. Wilma is one special lady and we love her dearly. Tracey Sundberg was his wonderful caregiver. Those two walked and laughed daily together. We are so thankful for Tracey. She is a gem!
John is preceded in death by his wife Beverly and son Mark. Any donations can be made to a local Boy Scout Troop or the Montesano Food Bank. Please join us for a “Celebration of Life” for John Axel Norberg on Sunday, December 3 at 2 p.m. at the Montesano Moose Lodge, 3 Monte Elma Road. Bring a story, enjoy the food and the celebration of a great “Gentleman.”
