L. Delores 'Dee' Norell

L. Delores (Dee) Norell, 94, of Spokane, WA and formerly of Maddock, ND passed away peacefully October 31, 2022 at her cottage home in the Riverview retirement community in Spokane, WA.  Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, July 13, 2023 at the Nelson Funeral Home in Maddock, ND. A lunch and social gathering will be held immediately following the service.  Burial will take place at Klara Lutheran Cemetery in rural Heimdal, ND. 

The family wishes to express our sincere thanks to the staff of Hospice of Spokane and to all her supportive and loving caregivers. In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of Delores can be given to the Klara Lutheran Cemetery fund or Hospice of Spokane, WA. 

Delores was born February 26, 1928 near Maddock, North Dakota to M.C Westrum and Anna Sanderson Westrum. Dee was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. She attended grade school in Albert Township, graduated from the Benson County Agricultural Training High School in Maddock in 1945. Dee was married to Marvin Norell on September 21, 1946. Together they raised 2 children and enjoyed 65 years of marriage. 

Dee and Marvin lived on the Norell family farm for 26 years. As a farm wife, Dee worked alongside husband Marvin managing both cattle and small grain farming. She was committed and faithful to her community and church there. Dee volunteered as a 4H leader; was a long time member of Klara Lutheran church in rural Maddock, where she taught Sunday school and was member of the Missionary Society. 

In 1972, due to her husband’s health, the couple moved to Fallbrook, California and together built their home and developed an avocado ranch. They maintained the ranch for 12 years before moving to Valley Oaks Mobile Park where they lived for another 27 years. Dee and husband were one of ten couples to organize the opening of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Fallbrook. Dee organized the first Altar Guild for the church, was a member of the women’s circle and sang in the choir. She also sang with an ensemble that entertained at skilled nursing homes as well as volunteered at the Joclyn Senior Center in Fallbrook. 

Dee and Marvin made one last move to Spokane, Washington in 2011 in order to be closer to daughter Diane. They enjoyed their new surrounding at Riverview. Marvin passed in 2012 and Dee continued on in her life creating lasting friendships with her neighbors; participating in family/friends’ holidays and dinners; trips to Green Bluff for apple picking, and to the family cabin in Priest Lake, Idaho.

Dee enjoyed doing crafts, tole and folk art painting, making greeting cards and writing letters that brought joy to many friends. She loved to play cribbage and other card games. Dee had a flare for decorating all of her homes. She enjoyed inviting others over for Scandinavian meals and coffee. Dee and Marvin traveled internationally. They toured Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany Switzerland, Austria, New Zealand and Australia; cruised the Hawaiian Islands, Costa Rica and Panama. They traveled by RV through much of the United States and visited Washington and Alaska often over the years, enjoying family and grandchildren. 

Dee’s family has been very precious to her. She is survived by two daughters and son-in-laws; Bonnie and Palmer Bailey, Anchor Point, Alaska and Diane Norell and Craig Bader, Spokane; grandchildren, Laura Lyons (Ben) Cincinnati, Ohio, Sara Bailey, Upland, Indiana, Amanda Grennell (Drew), Polson, Montana, Seth Norell Bader (Julie Fix), Juneau, Alaska; great grandchildren, Jonathan, Anna and Arlo; three nieces and two nephews.