Norbert J. Harrington

Norbert John Harrington Jr, 76, of Rochester, MN passed away unexpectedly on Monday, August 4, 2025. Norb was born November 21, 1948, in Waverly, Iowa to Norbert & Irene Harrington. He graduated from New Hampton High School in 1967. Upon graduation Norb enlisted in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War under the buddy program with his brother Mike. He served from 1968 – 1972 where he earned a Radio Technician Rank E-5. Upon his return he enrolled at Mankato State University & received his Bachelor's Degree in Finance & Economics in 1975 and achieved his Master's Degree in Finance & Accounting in 1983. While attending MSU he worked part time as a teller at Northwestern National Bank. After graduation he became a full-time employee of Norwest Bank. On July 2, 1977, he married Diane M. Werner at St. Peter & Paul's Catholic Church in Mankato, MN. The couple lived in Mankato until 1998 when they moved to Rochester, Minnesota. Norb eventually went on to become President of Norwest Bank Mankato in 1989. In 1997, Norb had the opportunity to move to Rochester and was President of Norwest Bank/Wells Fargo and later promoted to Regional President of Greater Minnesota until he retired in 2007. Norb loved spending time with his grandchildren, watching high school & college hockey games, reading anything business related and spending time with his friends. He also loved spending time in Maui each year, sharing laughs with several of his Hawaiian friends. In 1997, he was inducted into the MSU Athletics Hall of Fame. Norb served on the University/Community President's Committee on Athletics. He was an MSU Booster Club Member and a charter member of the MSU Blue Line Club. He was a major contributor to all MSU Sports and a key person in MSU's move to NCAA Division I Hockey. During the course of his career, he enjoyed his work on several boards – Mankato Loyola School Board, MRCI, MSU Foundation Board, MSU College of Business Executive Board, Newman Center on MSU Campus, Region 9 Development Corp, Immanual-St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation Board, Schola Foundation, Mankato Chamber of Commerce, Ronald McDonald House, MSU College of Business Executive Board, Board of Trustees for Rochester St. John's Catholic Church, Rochester Chamber of Commerce, MNSCU. Norb is survived by his wife Diane of 48 years, his daughter Melissa Leonard (husband Reed & daughters Ava and Ella) of Rochester and son Brandon ("Alex") Harrington (son Henry) of Minneapolis; brothers Michael (Patricia) Harrington, Kenneth (Sharon) Harrington & sister Mary Harrington. Norb was preceded in death by his parents Norbert Sr & Irene Harrington and two siblings Rosanne and Patrick. The funeral service will be held at 5:00p.m., Thursday August 14, 2025, in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home with Rev. Msgr. Gerald Mahon officiating. Visitation will be held from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Macken prior to the service. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial gifts be designated for the Ronald McDonald House in Rochester. A livestream of the service will be available at www.mackenfuneralhome.com