Floyd L. Norgaard

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Floyd L. Norgaard

Floyd L. Norgaard, 98, of Stanwood, Washington, passed away Friday, April 21, 2006, at Josephine Sunset Home in Stanwood, Washington.
Floyd was born September 25, 1907, in Arco, Minnesota (Lincoln County), the son of Peter H. Norgaard and Rose Christensen Norgaard. Floyd came to Stanwood with his family in 1910. He grew up on the family farm in Cedarhome and attended local schools, graduating from Stanwood High School 81 years ago on June 5, 1925. In 1927, Floyd entered college with a major in manual arts and chemistry and graduated from the State College of Washington at Pullman in 1931. It was here at college Floyd met his future wife, Eugenia Darnell. He was married to his college sweetheart September 9, 1933, in Davenport, Washington.
Floyd's first teaching position was at Moscow, Idaho. During his four years there, he received his master's degree from the University of Idaho. He later taught in Yakima, Washington, Chico and Los Angeles, California. While at Chico, Floyd became interested in photography. He joined a photography club and was soon taking photo trips throughout the Southwest. After a 30-year teaching career, Floyd retired and started another career as a photo tour guide. These photographic tours took Floyd to many parts of the world, including the Scandinavian countries, Iceland and South America. His photographs were published in numerous magazines and books. In 2000, Floyd returned to Stanwood to make his home. He was a resident of Merrill Gardens at Stanwood for many years. Floyd wanted to give back to his community. He donated funds for the purchase of the old I.O.O.F. public hall and for its restoration. The deep community spirit and vision of Floyd Norgaard has today given the Stanwood area the Floyd Norgaard Cultural Center.
Floyd was preceded in death by his wife, Eugenia, in 1985; parents, Rose and Peter Norgaard; four brothers, Louis, Wesley, Ernie, and Marvin Norgaard; two sisters, Ruth MacDougall and Bertha Parrish.
Floyd is survived by his faithful and devoted family; one brother and sister-in-law, Elmer and Gladys Norgaard; two sisters, Norma Pearson of Oso, Washington, and Pearle Anthony of Casper, Wyoming; and numerous nieces and nephews. All will miss him dearly.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 29, 2006. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. at Anderson Cemetery, Stanwood, followed by a luncheon at "The Floyd," the Floyd Norgaard Cultural Center, continuing with a memorial service at 2 p.m.
Visitation daily in the chapel of Gilbertson Funeral Home, Stanwood.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Floyd Norgaard Cultural Center building fund, c/o the Stanwood Area Historical Society, P.O. Box 69, Stanwood, WA 98292, or a charity of your choice.