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Reuben Nordgren, husband, father, Air Force veteran, social worker, and beacon of positivity, passed away Oct. 13, 2023, after a long illness. He was 91 years old. Born a Christmas baby on Dec. 24, 1931, Reuben grew up in Ortonville, MN, with his two older brothers Clifford and George.

Reuben enlisted in the Air Force and served four years in Korea as a left tail gunner on a reconnaissance plane. Following his military service, he attended the University of Minnesota and completed his bachelor of arts degree in history along with a major in sociology at the University of Minnesota – Moorhead. He then began a stellar career in social work, and was working in Carlton County when he met fellow social worker Marlys Jonason. While their co-workers were plotting to set them up, they were already dating on the sly. Reuben and Marlys were married Dec. 15, 1962, and eventually moved to Forest Lake, MN (Columbus Township) to start a family, and had three children.

He was a social worker and supervisor, spending most of his career at Ramsey County serving people with mental illness, developmental disabilities, and served the specific needs of the Hmong and Native American populations. He retired early due to macular degeneration, which eventually left him legally blind. Reuben and Marlys spent their retirement years at their lake home in Center City, where they gardened, fished, entertained, cooked maple syrup, and served their community.

Reuben was active in the Chisago Lakes Lions club, and various church activities including support of the youth groups at Faith Lutheran in Forest Lake, and Trinity Lutheran in Lindstrom. He enjoyed music, fishing, family vacations, horseshoes, cards, dominoes, and following all Minnesota sports teams. Through his dry sense of humor, he endeared himself to everyone he encountered, including his neighbors at Point Pleasant Heights in Chisago City, and his many caregivers especially the wonderful staff at Ecumen North Branch and Ecumen Hospice.

Reuben was preceded in death by his parents Clinton and Johanna (Josie) Nordgren; brothers Clifford and George; infant sister Doris, and wife of 57 years Marlys. He is survived by children Paul Nordgren, Jennifer (Keith) Bryant, and Matthew Nordgren; grandchildren Peter, Josie, Amber, Anna, Maya, and Kallum; great-grandchildren Alice, Amalia, Amari, Jeremy, Jordan, and Amira, and former daughter-in-law Jean Nordgren.

The family would like to thank the staff at Ecumen North Branch and Hospice, and the Point Pleasant Heights senior living facility, for the care and companionship he received. 

A visitation will be held 5-8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023 at Grandstrand Funeral Home, 11900 Lake Lane North, Lindstrom, MN, and a Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 13025 Newell Ave., Lindstrom, MN, with a visitation an hour prior.

Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers to the Youth Ministry program at Trinity Lutheran Church, the Chisago Lakes Lions, or the charity of choice. Messages to the family may go through Grandstrand Funeral Home, www.grandstrandfh.com. 

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