John E. Nordstrom

John E. Nordstrom, 89, of Egg Harbor, formerly of Two Rivers, died early Friday evening, September 26, 2025 at Door County Medical Center in Sturgeon Bay following three years of a cancer diagnosis.

He was born in Chicago on November 6, 1935, the son of the late Godfrey Dewey and Helen Justina (O'Leary) Nordstrom. John graduated from Morgan Park High School before enrolling and excelling at the University of Illinois Engineering program at Navy Pier, interning at International Harvester. The mind of an engineer was evident at an early age and continued throughout his professional life, the companies he built and the hobbies he enjoyed. John seemed to be able to fix anything and successfully figure out any problem.

On January 19, 1963 he married Barbara Ann Gormley at St. Christine's Catholic Church in Chicago and enjoyed 62 years together. He served his country in the Army Reserves for over five years.

His engineer and entrepreneurial career was extensive. It started as a mechanical engineer for Walgreens, then F.B. Redington Co., and Hayssen Manufacturing in Sheboygan County. In 1976, along with his wife, Barb, they founded Omega Mfg Corporation in Two Rivers, where they manufactured high speed packaging machinery for the paper tissue converting industry around the world and later design and manufacture Adjust-A-View Window Blinds for Arched Windows. John's talent for mechanical design would be rewarded with several patents over many years for others and himself.

While living those early years in Chicago, John was introduced to Door County in 1955 where he would come to enjoy camping, biking, hiking and canoeing at Peninsula State Park. John was introduced to hiking by his cousin and traveled together to Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens. He and Barbara had a regular hiking group they walked with for years. Always loving the outdoors and Peninsula State Park, John wanted to enjoy it year-round so he took up cross country skiing, continuing it for decades along with sailing his 36' S2 throughout and around Door County. Getting older and as physical limitations entered his life, John would pursue his love of cars and committed time to restoring his 1941 Cadillac convertible to pristine beauty. He enjoyed sharing that love with the fellas at his Wednesday night car group in Sister Bay and area car shows where he took many awards. John always looked forward to his Friday morning breakfasts and camaraderie with the guys.

His family includes his dear wife, Barbara of Egg Harbor; three children and families, Melissa (Mark Jersek) Nordstrom of Murrells Inlet, SC, [and children, Cole and Jorja], Stephan (Camilla) Nordstrom of Fish Creek [and their children, Mason, Hennessey, Jax, and Finn], and Matthew (Mariah) Nordstrom of Cambridge, WI [and children, Aiden and Ella].

Preceding him in death were his parents, Godfrey and Helen Nordstrom; two sisters, Mary (Bill) Burtner, and Patricia Plantinga.

A gathering with family and friends will be held from 1:00-4:00 p.m., Saturday, October 11, 2025 at Huehns Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay with a service of remembrance at 3:30 p.m.

Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of John may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.HuehnsFuneralHome.com.