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Paul Noreen Obituary
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Gregory Bitz
April 6, 2018
I think I was in Mr Noreen's first class after University. He would mention the U of M, I had no idea what that was. Then I was privileged to run for him for three years in track & cross country. I think he was the first man I met. A few years later, we corresponded while I was fighting in Viet Nam. I still maintain, at age seventy-one, the training & love of running was as crucial to my survival as any other tactic or equipment. As a teacher, I did my best to emulate him. Mr Noreen was a very cool guy. I can still hear the noise he made as he was about to pass me during one of those " one versus ten" races. Alas, he's gone, & I no longer weigh 165 lbs.
Dan Horn
December 31, 2013
I was saddened to here of Paul's passing. While reading what others said about him It's obvious that he was a good influence on those he touched. Paul was my cross country and track coach in 1959 & 60. He must have been about 24 at the time and could he run. He used to work out with the distance runners and could not only tell you how to do it, but show you. He was an excellent coach and motivator. We were lucky to have him. All through my life when things got tough I would look back on what he taught me and that was if you drop out and don't finish you can't place. It was important to finish. Persevering was a great life lesson for me to learn. In 2 Tim:7-8 The apostle Paul writes I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only, but also to all who have loved His appearing. God blessed us by putting Paul Noreen in our lives. We thank Paul for caring about others, the world needs more people like him.
Steve Jensen
December 31, 2013
We ran as the "Noreens" and we even had t-shirts printed up. Great teacher.
Noreen Halver Carlson
December 27, 2013
I remember Mr. Noreen as a great language arts teacher at Hopkins Lindbergh Senior High. My mom was always disappointed he didn't have any sons, so I could marry one of them and be Noreen Noreen.
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Jeanie (Johnston) Braunschweig
December 16, 2013
To Paul's family and friends, I am so sorry for your loss. I met Paul when I was about 13 yrs old, while running in 'road races' with my Dad, Larry Johnston, and several of my siblings. I have always remembered him to be the kindest, friendliest and most encouraging person. With a smile to match. He was also a classmate of my parents, Larry Johnston and Mary Lou (Waight, Johnston) Davis. To Pauls children.. I feel your pain. And I am so sorry for it. Lost my Mom a year ago, I know what you are going to face. To Pauls wife Dorothy.. I am soo sorry for your loss. I cannot imagine such a shock.
My thoughts, prayers and heart are with you as you go through these tough days, weeks, months..
Marty Halvorson
December 9, 2013
I will always remember the many runs we had, no matter what the season or weather. Dorothy you have been blessed and Jan and I share our deepest sympathies.
Greg Lee
December 9, 2013
I ran for Paul in cross-country from 67-69. He was a great example of a man as well as a coach to many of us on the team struggling with adolescence. So sad to hear he is gone.
Steve Lynes
December 8, 2013
Paul was my High School running coach. He was instrumental in my life encouraging me to always "do better".
It wasn't until years later that I connected with him again, in which he invited me to join his Sat. morning run group.
Through the hours of running we did together, I found the true "coach". He shared with me his passion for; Family, knowledge of so many things, teaching, and running.
He will always be my "coach". My thoughts, prayers and condolences to the Noreen Family.
Dave Gelly
December 8, 2013
Dorothy & family,
Helen and I send our love & sympathy to you and your wonderful family. Paul will always remain as one of the finest people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Our years of having you & Paul as our neighbors in Plymouth were truly special. The hundreds of runs we shared will always be remembered & treasured. He allowed me to become much more of a runner than I deserved to be. His words were gentle yet his stride was forceful & swift. He was a beast on the roads & a saint in life. He will always be with me. Our prayers are with you & your family. All the best...Helen & Dave
Nancy Balding Stouffer
December 7, 2013
Mr. Noreen was a wonderful teacher, an inspiring coach & runner & a great role model & human being. He touched many lives and I am saddened by his passing but know that he will be remembered by countless people in the many ways he touched all our lives. You have my heartfelt sympathy. He will be missed. RIP Mr. Noreen.
December 5, 2013
Over 60 years ago members of the Henry cross country team were gathered on Victory Memorial Drive getting ready to work out. A new guy was with us, he arrived wearing dress shoes!!! He obviously needed help so we started our run at a good pace. Paul stayed with us and very quickly Paul was setting the pace. A good guy, well remembered by all.
Dean and Elaine Berntsen, Sun Lakes, AZ
Susan (Papas) Swann
December 3, 2013
I was very sorry to hear of Mr. Noreen's passing. He was one of my first teachers at Hopkins Lindbergh High School, and one of my favorites. He lives on in all the lives he touched.
Kurt & Jill Jewell
December 3, 2013
Paul was a wonderful teacher, coach and mentor to me. He was a man of great integrity and I hope some of that rubbed off on me. I still distinctly remember the hours the two of us spent running together and talking about life, particularly during the winter of 1985. His style and his humor made a lasting impression and I consider myself a better person for having shared time with him. Our deepest sympathies to Dorothy and the rest of Paul's family and friends.
Colleen Dwyer Tyson
December 2, 2013
Kathy and family,
I was so sorry to hear about your father. I am keeping you in my thoughts at this tender time.
Cathy Martini Berzins
December 2, 2013
My deepest sympathy to Mr. Noreen's entire family & sphere. Mr. Noreen welcomed me to Hopkins Lindbergh HS in 1974, as I was a "newbie" from Boston and he "admired" my accent:) Honored to be in his Literature Class my sophomore year and ran on his Track team. I also ran into him literally in Plymouth and there was always a big hug and smile! He was a great man of integrity w/a great wit & special, enduring charm one can never forget! He made a difference!
Jennifer Goos
December 2, 2013
Kathy Ford & Family, I am thinking of you & your family during this difficult time. I know you have many wonderful memories of your father. May those happy memories give you peace! God Bless You all, Jennifer Goos (Coworker of Kathy's)
Steve Tsai
December 2, 2013
Looking back on grades 7-12, Paul was my favorite English teacher (7th grade, 1962-63, Hopkins North Junior High). He was dignified, yet he kept the class engaged, and he had quite the sense of humor: his grammarian's term for Santa's helper was "subordinate Clause." I'll always remember him as the individual who introduced me to Sherlock Holmes. It was a pleasure to reconnect with him after joining Plymouth Church. My thoughts and prayers are with Dorothy and the family.
Shirley & Mel Roy
December 2, 2013
Dorothy,
We are saddened by Paul's death and your great loss. We are grateful for the times we spent together. You and Paul enriched our lives greatly. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May God give you peace and quiet in this time of mourning and may your sorrow be laced with joy as you remember a wondewrfully good man.
Our love, Shirley and Mel Roy
Don LaBounty
December 2, 2013
I remember Mr. Paul Noreen well! My brother and neighbors were part of his Cross Country team, and the care and dedication he shared with them and the entire community was incredible. I always enjoyed his dry sense of humor and will not forget him. He was truly an example of what a teacher, coach and mentor should be.
Ruth Ann Illies Licht
December 2, 2013
I had Mr Noreen in Jr High in the basement of the old Annex. He was a fun, enthusiastic teacher who inspired many to read.
Kristine Oberg
December 1, 2013
I was fortunate to have Mr. Noreen as my Literature teacher in high school and then, later in life, as a neighbor! He really did keep us interested in reading! He was a great teacher and will be missed by many. Our sincerest thoughts to his friends and family.
Cheryl Hradecky
December 1, 2013
Even as a teen-ager I recognized that Mr. Noreen was a very dedicated teacher and coach.
December 1, 2013
Paul was such a strong influence in the lives of his runners; his contribution to the kind of man my son Kurt became was major. In fact, when Kurt married, he chose Paul (34 years older) as his best man. He showed so many of his runners a wonderful example of what being a man could be, and we are all better people for having known him. Our condolences to you, Dorothy, and your family...
Love, Sue and the Jewell family
Sharon Dean
December 1, 2013
Dorothy,
We were saddened to learn of Paul's passing. It was an honor to have him as our neighbor (and you) for many years. He was kind and gentle. I remember one time when his students "papered" one of your trees. He laughed and told me that they were good kids. You and yours are in our thoughts and prayers. We look forward to seeing you at the remembrance in January.
Mike Egan
December 1, 2013
Mr Noreen was the teacher that most influenced me growing up in Hopkins. We spent countless hours running the roads around Hopkins. I will never forget the strategy sessions (?) and his house during district, region and state cross country meets at his house. Mrs Noreen made the best spaghetti for us. Thank you for a lifetime of service to the Minnesota running community. Rest in peace. Mike Egan Hopkins class of '68
John and Frankie Barrow
December 1, 2013
Dorothy,
We wanted to extend our condolences to you and your family.
We will miss Paul and always remember our times together. We enjoyed learning about your lives and Paul's knowledge of Minneapolis and its changes over the years. It was always a pleasure talking to Paul about his wonderful running career, discussing old English movies – and seeing more recent ones together.
You are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time for you.
Peter Swanson
December 1, 2013
My condolences to the Noreen family. Like so many, I remember him as my 10th grade English teacher. My older siblings were in cross country, so I remember him from that, as well.
Later in high school, our barbershop quartet was delivering singing telegrams and we accidentally interrupted his class during one of the few times he showed a film. He was very gracious.
Mostly I remember him as an outstanding storyteller. He told us the story of his search for his roots, culminating in a come-from-behind win in a footrace at the hometown of his new relative.
In college, we were doing interviews for a local TV show at the New Hope Kmart. We stumbled on Mr. Noreen and he was a great interview, of course.
He will be missed.
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