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Joshua Nordwall Obituary
Joshua Lewis Nordwall, 24, Bismarck, died unexpectedly at a Bismarck hospital on Sept. 26, 2006. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Bismarck, with the Rev. Lisa Ahlness officiating. Private family burial will be held at a later date.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Bismarck Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to services at the church.
Joshua was born April 23, 1982, in Bismarck, the son of Blaine and Paula Nordwall. He was raised in Bismarck and graduated from Bismarck High School in 2000. He was employed at East 40 Chophouse. He was looking forward to moving to St. Louis at Thanksgiving to start school and be with his fiance.
Joshua had such a big and kind heart, he could make anyone laugh and he was always sensitive to others' troubles and willing to be there for them. Josh cared deeply about injustice in the world and longed to make a difference. You just needed to meet Josh to find that you liked him. As he grew, his family loved and enjoyed the stream of friends that came through their home.
Joshua was a musician, performing often in the region as a singer in a band that included his "favorite band of friends." At 6' 7," and given to independent dress and hair styles, the eyes and cameras were often on him. Josh knew and played with many local musicians, as well as those who traveled through. He was no musical snob, appreciating a fine song, no matter the musical genre.
We know how much you loved us, Josh, as you said so every day. Your mom's heart aches that she will never again answer the phone and hear you say "what's up?" and "do you want to hang out today?" She does. Today and forever. We will miss your encyclopedic knowledge of song lyrics and "Seinfeld" dialogue, your curiosity, your zeal to debate issues and learn the views of others. Your big sister will always love and long for her "little brother." While your passing brings grief, we take joy from knowing that you knew love and were looking forward to your future. We are so lucky to have had you as our son and we will miss you and love you forever, Josh.
He is survived by his parents, Blaine and Paula, Bismarck; his sister and brother-in-law, Emily and Justin Henriksen, Fridley, Minn.; his fiance and soul mate, Jessica Day, St. Louis, Mo.; his uncles and aunts, Pete and Joyce Habben, East Grand Forks, Minn., and Steve and Sherry Nordwall, Mitchell, S.D.; his godfather, David Tiistola, Brocket; many friends and relatives; and his spirit of caring.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Earl and Betty Nordwall and Pete and June Habben.
Memorials in Josh's name may be donated to the North Dakota Peace Coalition.
This obituary was originally published in the Bismarck Tribune.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Matthew & Sarah Crabtree
February 1, 2010
You are missed and thought about often!
"Clayton" Nathan Arnold Charging
April 28, 2007
I'd just recently learned of Josh's passing, and I would like to send my sincerist condolences to Josh's family & friends. He was a fun guy to be around & could joke with the best of'em. Josh man, you'll be missed!
Josh with Sugar and Spikes
Apryl Cady
April 17, 2007
You are MISSED.
Peace,
Apryl
jesse scherr
February 21, 2007
nordwall family.im sorry for your loss
i know joshua a bit when he had his band i would go and support him at the shows he had so much heart in the way he would sing music he really give it his all and thats a good quality he will be missed but his spirit will live on thanks. jesse
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We love you Joshua Lewis...
January 25, 2007
Ruby, Dade and Kiaya Ramsey
December 21, 2006
There are no words to express how Josh will be missed. But, A Thank You goes out to his parents. Because they brought him up to be an outstanding young gentelman to everyone that he knew. May prayers and peace be with you at this most difficult time.
Jeremiah Palecek
December 21, 2006
Josh had such a great independent streak. The type the world needs more of. He will be missed, as he is impossible to forget.
Peace
Jesse Alfstad
December 17, 2006
I only learned of Josh's tragic death today, I was stunned. Josh was a great person in every sense. My thoughts are with all of Josh's family and friends. PEACE Josh.
Josh & Jessy-we love you both!
December 11, 2006
ND Peace Coalition signs in Josh's memory
December 11, 2006
Josh 2006
December 11, 2006
Family Photo of Emily's marriage to Justin July 2005
December 11, 2006
Josh & sister Emily Easter 2005
December 11, 2006
Singing for the band 2005
December 11, 2006
Josh & Jessy Labor Day Week-end 2006
December 11, 2006
Josh & Azrael Autumn 2005
December 11, 2006
Bill & Nancy Davis
October 24, 2006
Blaine & Paula, I will spend some time grieving for you two and your loss. I pray God will comfort and console you.
Julie Brunner
October 11, 2006
Blaine and Paula, I am so saddened to hear of your loss. Joshua sounds like a very special young man and I know you will miss him every day. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Julie Brunner
Susan Matson
October 6, 2006
Paula, Blaine, and Emily,
I was so saddened to hear about Josh and my thoughts and tears have been with you every day since I heard. Our family will be forever bound together even though we are far apart now. I know how much you love your kids and how proud you are of both of them. Please take care. Love, Your cousin Sue
Darrell Faircloth
October 4, 2006
Blaine and Family,
I am very sad to hear of your loss of a wonderful part of your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Jackie Rosenblatt
October 4, 2006
Dear Blaine and Paula,
May you both find comfort in the wonderful memories and joy of your beautiful son. My heart aches for you both and please know that I'm thinking about you.
Heather Pautz
October 3, 2006
Dear Blaine and family:
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. May God comfort you.
Holly Hiatt
September 30, 2006
Blaine, Paula and Emily,
My heart is full of sadness for you and I will remember you in my prayers. I have very special memories of your family and was very fond of Josh's spirit and how he viewed life. I especially enjoyed his refreshing attitude. I will miss him and may you find comfort knowing he has found peace and is with his maker.
Sincerely,
Holly Jo(Smith)Hiatt
Trevor Ronde
September 30, 2006
Everybody knows Josh will be remembered for the rest of their lives! He leaves a lasting impression on everyone he comes in contact with and he truly had alot of people who cared and loved him deeply. Just remember, he might be gone physically, but he will never be gone spiritually. he will remain in my heart for the rest of my life. God Bless you all
Theresa Dryden
September 30, 2006
Emily and family,
I was so sorry to hear about your loss. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Marella Krein
September 30, 2006
To the family of Josh Nordwall,
Sad to hear about your loss, may his spirit live on in your lives.
God Bless.
Paulette Frohlich
September 30, 2006
Paula, Blaine, and Emily,
We are so very sorry for your loss. We have so many great memories of Josh when he was a young boy. Josh and Noah, and all their other buddies, sure had some great times together that they will never forget.We will never forget his energetic spirit! Our hearts go out to you. Peace and Love
Paulette,Jeff,Noah,and Emily Frohlich
Mary Rothmann
September 30, 2006
To all of Josh's family and friends, I wish to express my heartfelt sympathy. While I didn't know Josh personally, I knew his father, Blaine, and I know how much you loved one another. May you find comfort in the days and time ahead in remembering the happiness and good times you shared with one another. My heart goes out to you at this extremely sad and difficult time in your life.
Elizabeth Huber
September 29, 2006
Blaine, Paula and Emily,
My heart aches for you and the sorrow and emptiness that you are feeling. I hope you feel comforted by the many people who will miss Josh and have fond memories of him. I have wonderful memories of your family and the fun times we shared when we visited in the summers.
Laura Helbling
September 29, 2006
Blaine, Paula and family, I want to extend a kind word of sympathy. However, there are really no "right" words to say at a time like this except, I am so very sorry that your beloved Josh has died. May God carry you during this time when it may be even difficult to walk.
Beth Joseph
September 29, 2006
Josh was a great friend. He will be missed by everyone that got to know him. Even though we have not been close in the recent years, I will always remember the crazy things we used to do back in 8, 9, 10 grade. We had some good memories. He will always be one that I looked up to, literally. He was never afraid of being himself or letting you know what he thought. My heart goes out to his family. He will always be missed and loved.
Roger and Pat Hertz
September 29, 2006
Blaine and Paula. We are very sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Alister Roat
September 29, 2006
Josh will always live on through his music.
Julie Fredericksen
September 29, 2006
Blaine and Paula,
I am so sorry to hear about Josh's passing. I remember him as the sweet little boy from the neighborhood whom I babysat occasionally, as the elementary schoolboy who brought our daughter a card when she broke her leg, and as a very free-spirited young man.
I emailed Kristen as soon as I heard the news.
I am so glad that you were able to surmount your grief, if only temporarily, so write such a wonderful obituary in memory of a one-of-a kind son.
Jennifer Froehlich(Weiand)
September 29, 2006
Sorry to hear about your loss, you are in my thoughts and prayers in this difficult time.
John Olson
September 29, 2006
Blaine, Paula, and family,
I am so very sorry for your loss, as my thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of grief. May your faith and support of family and friends bring you healing and comfort.
Jamie Paul
September 29, 2006
We will miss you and remember you in our hearts forever. Through all the years we all played music in these towns we all built a brotherhood that defied musical style and background. From all of the guys of Omnipotent Belligerence cheers friend.
Izzy Robertson
September 29, 2006
Bruce and I are very sorry for your loss. You and your family are in our prayers.
Chanc Hiatt
September 29, 2006
Nordwall Family,
I am very sorry for your loss and pray for strength and comfort for your family during this hard time. I grieve for you through Holly as she has had a hard time with this as well. Our prayers are with you from Colfax, WA.
April Davis
September 29, 2006
Blaine, Paula, Emily and Justin
We are sorry for your lose and your family is in our thoughts. We wish we would have known Josh better, but though Emily's stories we know he was a great person.
Love Always,
Jesse, April, Kennedy and Josephine Davis
Tammy Obregon
September 29, 2006
My Thoughts and Prayers are with you and your family.
Tammy Obregon
Grand Forks Co. Social Services
Sue Satterthwaite
September 29, 2006
Though I didn't know Josh, I know he contriubted much to the people who did and that his family loved him very much. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to Josh's family.
Nick Ehrhardt
September 29, 2006
Josh was a good friend to everyone he met, a kind and gentle person. Josh was someone who was not afraid to be himself, a quality that some of us only wish we could possess. Josh will be missed.
Daniel and Wanda Biesheuvel
September 29, 2006
Paula, Blaine, family and friends,
We are so very sorry for your loss. Josh was a very intriguing person, and I know you both loved him very much. I saw it when I saw you with him. Every time I saw him walking down the street or in the mall, I knew immediately who he was and it put a smile on my face. My son, Ryan, attended BHS with Josh for one year, and had the utmost respect for him. Being different is not a bad thing, it is actually very refreshing. Some of us just express more evidently. He will be missed by many, I know.
God bless you all.
Heather Jackson
September 29, 2006
Josh I am going to miss you. I will miss you at shows when I would go back to ND. I am going to miss your little emails and how are you's? I love you and may you RIP. Thanks for all the memories. xo
Sherry Moore
September 29, 2006
Blaine, Paula and Emily,
We are so sorry for your loss, and the loss to us of a young man with such a unique perspective and independent spirit. Please know that our thoughts are with you at this hard time.
Tim, Sherry, Katie, and Charlie Moore
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