Donald Owen Nordstrom

MISSOULA – Donald Owen Nordstrom, born in Chicago on November. 6, 1943, died unexpectedly Saturday, December. 5, 2009, in Boston due to complications from surgical removal of a pituitary tumor. His wife and children remained at his bedside during his short hospitalization.

Known by many, Don practiced children’s dentistry for 37 years, in Missoula. His dream of dentistry began when the seed was planted by his own dentist in northern Minnesota, where he spent his youth. He obtained his dental degree from the University of Minnesota, where he also met his wife, Doris.

Immediately after dental school, Don served in the U.S. Army as a dentist with tours in Korea and Colorado. He returned to continue his education and received his master’s degree from the University of Iowa in Pediatric Dentistry. He loved his work with children and said “4-year-olds were his favorite.” He was a member of the American Dental Association, Montana Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and a fellow in the American College of Dentistry and the International College of Dentistry. He served the dental community in many capacities over the course of his career.

Don moved to Montana in 1971 with the dream of being a cowboy. He even skied in a cowboy hat for years, and he was easily recognized by his family on the slopes. He loved the mountains whether it was horse packing, camping, hunting, fishing, rafting or huckleberry picking. He enjoyed a host of sports, including skiing, golfing, scuba diving and hockey, which he played in his high school years and returned to recently in the “60-ish” league. He and his family enjoyed travel and made many trips. He and his wife have a condo in Alaska, where he enjoyed ocean fishing and hunting.

Don is predeceased by his parents, Don and Alice Nordstrom.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Doris; their children and their spouses and grandchildren, Alison and Don Kieffer, and Olivia, Carolyn and Naomi, of Boise, Idaho; Hans and Alechia Nordstrom, and Ahnika and Finn, of Wasilla, Alaska; Eric and Elly Nordstrom, and Laird and a baby due in January, of Portland, Ore.

Don lovingly spoke of his own grandparents and enjoyed his role of “Papa” to his grandchildren. They could easily talk him into feeding the horses, driving the tractor or getting into the hot tub.

He is also survived by his sister, Margaret Murray (Tom) of Sioux Falls, S.D., and her children, Megan Gooch of Washington,D.C., and Jason Gooch serving in U.S. Air Force; and his brother, David (Kathy) Nordstrom of Big Falls, Minn.; and numerous relatives in Minnesota.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, December. 19, at Missoula Alliance Church, 100 E. Foss Court.

Memorials can be made to International Heart Institute or to Missoula Alliance Church, funds to be designated by the family.