Clyde E. Norell

Clyde Einar Norell, 87, of Rochester, died of cancer on February 4, 2018 at Seasons Hospice in Rochester, MN. His parents, older brother and sister were all born in Sweden, but Clyde was born in Duluth, MN on October 22, 1930. He was proud to be "made in America with Swedish parts." Clyde graduated from Superior Central High School in Superior, WI in 1949 and joined the U.S. Navy. He flew in a long-range maritime service reconnaissance aircraft, the Lockheed P2V Neptune, as a flight engineer. He flew on deployments out of Whidbey Island, WA and Kodiak, AK to cover the Aleutian Islands, Bering Sea, coast of Russia and the Arctic Circle. Later he flew air cover over Hawaii and Guam. The purpose of the trips was protection of the maritime shipping lanes for supplies to the front lines in Korea. At the end of the war, Clyde left the navy and enrolled in college with the aid of the G.I. Bill. He graduated five years later from what is now University of Wisconsin-Superior with a BS degree with majors in Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and Secondary Education. Clyde joined IBM Rochester as a Chemist in 1958 and over a 32-year career he supported engineers in the Materials Laboratory, Manufacturing Engineering and the Development Laboratory working on advanced magnetic recording storage files. He retired in 1991. Clyde married Susan Jane Schartau on October 17, 1959. They made their home in Rochester, where they raised their two children. Clyde enjoyed traveling with Susan, bowling, golfing, playing cards, fishing, and watching the Minnesota Vikings. He spent many happy years with his family at their cabin on Lake Pepin. Clyde had a lifelong passion for building and flying RC model airplanes. He was currently a member of Marion RC Flyers, the IBM Quarter Century Club, the IBM Retirees Club and various other model airplane clubs. Survivors include his wife, Susan Norell of Rochester; daughter, Jane (Jon) Meyer of Rochester; son, Thomas Norell of Centennial, CO, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Johan and Agnes Norell; brother, Gust Norell of Savannah, GA; and sister, Irma LaBelle of Two Harbors, MN. Visitation will be from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday, February 8, 208 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, 5421 Royal Place NW, Rochester. The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 9, 2018 at the funeral home. Chaplain Carol Shaffer will be officiating with burial at Oakwood Cemetery. . The family wishes to thank the wonderful caregivers at Mayo Clinic and Seasons Hospice. Donations in memory of Clyde are suggested to Mayo Clinic Study of Aging or to Seasons Hospice. To leave a special memory or condolence please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes 5421 Royal Place NW Rochester, MN 55901 (507) 289-3600