Norbert Cordes

Norbert H. Cordes was born January 14, 1915 to Henry and Doris (Borman) Cordes at their farm home in Leaf Lake Township, Ottertail County in Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John?s Lutheran Church near Ottertail, Minnesota. He and his nine siblings grew up during challenging times. Norbert was educated through the eighth grade, then stayed home to help his parents through the years of the Great Depression of the 1930?s. On March 24, 1940 Norbert Henry Cordes was married to Eleanor Martha Limmer at St. John?s Lutheran Church. They later moved to Deer Creek where they worked together to establish a dairy farm. Several years later Norbert was awarded for achieving the third highest-producing Holstein herd in the state. He also found time for several years of service in the community as treasurer of the school board of Deer Creek High School, as an elder in his local church, and officer of the town board. Finding time to bring fun, compassion, and gentleness along with wise and sound judgment, he was respected in the community. To all who knew him, he became known affectionately as ?Norb.? After selling their farm in 1975, Norb and Eleanor relocated to Alexandria in September 1976, moving into their lovely new home built by their son, Jeff. In their years of retirement they enjoyed vegetable gardening, growing flowers, fishing, playing cards, traveling and being with their children?s families, and just being ?hospitable folks in the neighborhood? on Timber Lane. Two of some ?ethnic and Homey? activities enjoyed by the family through the years have been the hand-cranked homemade ice cream, and the German tradition of making Knibbles (Knipps) during the cold winter months. Into his nineties Norb discovered song writing, singing at grandkid?s weddings, and perfecting his chocolate chip cookie recipe for all to enjoy. After a few days of fragile health, he died on November 6, 2008 at the Douglas County Hospital at the age of 93. Norbert was preceded in death by Eleanor, loving wife of 62 years, his parents, nine siblings and their spouses, one brother-in-law, and one sister-in-law. He will be greatly missed and forever remembered by his daughters, Janet (Lowell) Mattson, Alexandria; Julie (Larry) Koenig, Crosslake; son, Jeff (Carol) Cordes, Alexandria; eight grandchildren, Kerry (Roger) Rosvold, Eden Prairie; Jason (Tasha) Koranda, Alexandria; Todd (Sasha) Koenig, Milaca; Troy (Catina) Koenig, Minneapolis; Tara (Nick) Konat, St. Louis Park; Ryan (Dana) Cordes, Zimmerman; Matt (Jodi) Cordes, Brainerd; Mitch (Lisa) Cordes, Charleston, South Carolina; brother-in-law Herb Limmer; sister-in-law Betty Limmer, and many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends. A funeral service was held on Monday, November 10, 2008 at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Alexandria with Reverend Neal Olson and Reverend Peter Reishus officiating. Music was provided by Mercedes Hagen and Jason Koranda. Interment was held in the Kinkead Cemetery. Casket bearers were all of Norbert?s grandchildren.