Mary Jeannine Anderson Nordin

Mary was born in Ironwood, Michigan to Alice & Carl Anderson on April 9, 1930. The youngest of three children, she had a sister, Charlette and a brother, Carl (Fritz). Their grandmother lived with them and Mary always spoke of a home filled with love, music, and family. She graduated from Ironwood High School in 1948 and Gogebic Junior College in 1950. She was honored to be chosen as the Ironwood Snow Queen in 1951. Education and financial independence were very important to Mary so she left her beloved Ironwood, found a job, and attended Wisconsin State College in Superior, WI. She worked full-time to support herself, proudly earning a B.S. degree in elementary education in 1952. She then found a teaching job at McKinley Grade School in Manitowoc, Wisconsin where she taught kindergarten from 1952 – 1955 and worked a second job on weekends and summers. It was at Wisconsin State that she met Glenn Nordin, whom she married on November 26, 1955. Following their marriage, Mary & Glenn moved to San Antonio, TX to begin their Air Force life together. Their first daughter, Glenda Ann, was born at the Lackland AFB Hospital in 1956. A second daughter, Mary Beth, was born at George AFB, CA in 1958. A son, Carl Fred, was born at Camp Kue, Okinawa in 1960. And their youngest child, Kirsten Linnae, was born at Portsmouth Naval Hospital in 1966.

Mary maintained a loving, beautiful home throughout the 25 moves of Glenn’s 30-year career, always a supportive and encouraging partner to him. This was especially evident during an assignment in Japan where Glenn’s position dictated frequent interaction with the Japanese military leadership. Mary was a favorite to all which facilitated relations between the military representatives of the two countries. Following Glenn’s retirement, they settled in San Antonio where they lived the remainder of their lives. After the many moves, Mary enjoyed her years in San Antonio and added many friends to the long list of friends she had accumulated during Glenn’s Air Force career. In addition to serving as a committed volunteer in many capacities, she loved playing golf with various ladies’ groups and working with the women at her Church in altar guild.

Mary was a wonderful wife and mother. She demonstrated her devotion to God, her husband, family, and friends every day of her life. A true ray of sunshine, she spread joy wherever she went yet had a quiet strength that allowed her to successfully manage a busy household of four children with grace, even during Glenn’s remote tours in the Air Force. She was determinedly optimistic, always encouraging & positive, and genuinely loving & kind. She was very proud of her four children, ten grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren. Mary joined her beloved Glenn, daughter, Mary Beth, and the rest of her heavenly family on March 24th passing peacefully in the loving presence of her family. Glenn wrote her obituary before his death and his final words were, “Rest in peace, Sweetheart. Your husband loves you very much.”

A Celebration of Mary’s Life will be held at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Universal City, TX on Saturday, June 21 at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that remembrances be made in the form of a donation to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.