Marjorie "Marge" Nortin Obit

MARJORIE "MARGE" NORTIN died at home on March 26, 2020, in Katy, TX.  
Born Dec. 9, 1934, in Cloquet, she was the only daughter and youngest child of Cecil and Florence (Vanstrom) Carlton.  Shortly after her birth, her family moved to Emily where she spent her childhood and in 1952, graduated from Crosby-Ironton High School.  That fall, she began classes at Macalester College where she later met Richard Nortin, the love of her life.  She completed her studies in 1956, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a teaching certificate.  She and Richard married on Sept. 1 that same year, and over the next decade, four children were born to the couple.
She taught school full time for only a few years before taking time off to focus on her family.  When she returned to the workforce, however, she traded in her No.2 pencils for a typewriter and a secretarial position in the medical field.  Nonetheless, over the years she continued to occasionally work as a substitute teacher, and she even served as a county juvenile officer for a short time.  It wasn’t until she went to work as an executive assistant to the chief of pathology at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX, however, that she found her professional home; she retired from there 23 years later in 2000.
She was a wonderful role model for her children and grandchildren, all of whom she was incredibly proud.  
She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Van and Del Carlton, and two granddaughters.
She is survived by her devoted husband of more than 63 years, her children and their spouses: Kathy and David Graeff; Paul and Cheryl Nortin; Melissa Renner, Marit “Malena” and Ray Lopez and foster-daughter April Youngblood as well as 15 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.  
Because of the current restrictions on social gatherings, a private graveside funeral was held at Pine Ridge Cemetery in Emily.
Arrangements are with the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby.