Howard W. "Bud" Nordine

1928 - 2025

Howard W. "Bud" Nordine, age 97, of Sauk Centre died surrounded by his family on Sunday, October 12, 2025 at Cura Care Center in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

Visitation will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, October 25 at the American Legion in Sauk Centre. A private inurnment will be held at a later date at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls.

Howard William Nordine was born September 22, 1928 in Dassel, Minnesota to William and Myrtle (Lear) Nordine. At the end of WW2, he joined the Marines, was stationed in the South Pacific, and served as a military police officer. On September 19, 1959 he married Darla Bemis at St. John's Lutheran Church in Spring Valley, Wisconsin.

His early occupations were a horse trail ride guide, radio announcer, and tree trimmer. In 1964, Bud and Darla were assigned to Sauk Centre for his career as a Minnesota State Patrol officer, and he served for twenty-eight years. A prime location with plenty of lakes and deer but no relatives, his fellow law enforcement comrades, American Legion members, and hunting and fishing friends, especially Bud Weitzel, became family.

Bud and Darla spent significant time growing and harvesting most of his family's food. He shot deer with recurve, compound, and cross bow and took several trips out west for Elk. He enjoyed waterfowl hunting and traveled yearly to Handel, Saskatchewan, where the Perlingers and their community became beloved friends. He treasured his black labs, Jet and Bess. He took his family on significant vacations to the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Glacier. Bud also visited Japan for several weeks while daughter Julie was working there. He enjoyed reading historical and western novels. Later in life, visiting local bars became a prime social outing. His glass of Jim Beam was usually set before him before the seat was warm.

Survivors include his wife, Darla Nordine of Sauk Centre; daughter, Julie (Charles) Condon of St. Cloud; son, Bruce (Michelle) Nordine of St. Joseph; four grandchildren: Ted (Rachel Loredo) and Leander Condon, and Taylor and Connor Nordine; and sister, Shirley Kehrberg of Plymouth.

Bud was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Beatrice Johnson; and brother, Darryl Nordine.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services of Sauk Centre.