Eugene Norlander

Eugene Norlander, 96, of Two Harbors died Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at Lake View Memorial Hospital.

Eugene was born December 30, 1929 in Duluth’s West End where he grew up and attended schools. He was part of the Denfeld High School State Championship Basketball team in 1947. He attended the University of Minnesota and played basketball both in Minneapolis and Duluth, and after graduating taught for one year in Askov, until he was drafted into the U. S. Army and served during the Korean War. Returning to Minnesota, he moved to Two Harbors in 1954 and taught and coached in the Lake Superior School District for 35 years. He continued to work as a referee well into retirement.

He was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church where he also served as a Sunday School teacher.

Eugene enjoyed traveling, golf, card games, crossword puzzles and Scrabble. He also enjoyed his coffee gang at Miller’s Cafe for many years, and later at Judy’s. He loved visiting with family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Ann in 1969, his second wife, Dorothy in 2021, and a son, Douglas in 2022.

Eugene is survived by his children, Lynette (Steve) Case, Jennie Parresol, Don (Vickee) Norlander, and Jill (Tim) Batman; daughter-in-law, Laura Norlander; step-daughters, Constance (Craig) MacRae, and Carolyn (Doug) Jackson; grandchildren, Thomas (Anna) Cawcutt Jr., Michael-George (Kelly) Cawcutt, Torrance (Andrea Jolene) Cawcutt, Ryan-Douglas Jackson, Nicholas (Julie) Jackson, Noah Jackson, Jennifer (Kurt) Atwater, Michael (Michelle) Case, Anne Signe Case, Jon Parresol, Jack Parresol, Donny (Shelby) Norlander, Annie (Erik) Nielsen, Erik Norlander, Andrew Norlander, Brian Norlander, Katie Batman, Ellie Batman, and Sarah (Caleb) Hay; 18 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 10 AM until the 11 AM service on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Two Harbors. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery.

To share a memory or leave an online condolence visit www.cavallinfuneralhome.com.