Donald James Norden

Donald (Don) James Norden of Valley Center, CA died peacefully in his sleep on December 26, 2023 after falling as a consequence of Parkinson's disease. Don was born on April 2, 1937 to Helen and John Norden of Chappell, NE. The family later moved to California. Don returned to Chappell at age 14 to live with his Grandfather Gus Johnson and to be near his Aunt and Uncle, Ruth and Roy Peters, and their sons. Don later returned to California and eventually had a career as a draftsman at National Cash Register (NCR) in Escondido, CA, where he remained as a manager of the division that designed circuit boards until he retired. He met his wife Eunice at NCR and they married on December 7, 1962. During their 61 years together, they hosted great parties for their friends, danced the night away, and went on cruises to just about everywhere, but especially to Hawaii which they loved. In between the parties and cruises, they raised cockatiels and presented prize pigeons at competitions and shows.

During high school in Chappell, Don excelled in track and basketball. He lettered in both sports and was on the basketball team that went to the Nebraska State Championship his senior year. In addition to his lifelong passion for basketball, he and Eunice loved showing their vintage cars. Don completely restored, down to every detail with original parts, a candy apple red 1957 Chevy he affectionately named Rosie. Rosie would go on to win the title for Best 1957 Chevy multiple times at the Gambler Classic River Run show held in Laughlin, NV.

Don is survived by his beloved wife Eunice, step-daughter Linda Taylor (Gerald) and her daughter Amanda Tolman (husband Justin and children Emma and Mackenzie), and step-son Daryl Blankenship, of Valley Center and Escondido, CA. He leaves two surviving cousins from Chappell, NE, Jay (and his children Jennifer, Nick, and Shane) and Bob (Fran) Peters and second cousin Lee (Denise) Peters, and cousin Gene Norden (wife Phyllis and children Glenn and Diane [husband Robert and children Donny and Shane]) of Fallbrook, CA. Don is also survived by his two sisters Patricia Kolodge, nephew Randy Coffman (Kristie and her daughter Sienna) and his children Brandon (wife Heather and children Coralee and Hayes), Kelsey, and Lindsey Coffman, all of Sebastopol, CA, and Jeanette Norden of Franklin, TN.

Don had a very full life. He loved California-but a part of his heart always remained in Chappell, NE. He will be greatly missed by those who loved him.