CARL LESTER NORDBACK
December 5, 1955 ~ December 3, 2010

Carl Lester Nordback passed away unexpectedly on December 3, 2010 at his home near Menahga, MN.
Carl was born on December 5, 1955 in Fargo, ND to Bill and JoAnne (Johnson) Nordback. It was in Fargo that he began his public school education moving to Birchwood, Wisconsin as a small boy and completing his elementary and high school years. He graduated with the Class of 1974. After graduation, Carl enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served as a member of the Sea Bees at the tail end of the Viet Nam War, constructing runways in the Phillipine Islands, Spain and Turkey. He received his honorable discharge in 1976. Shortly after his discharge he moved back to Fargo where he worked construction for several years. In 1980, he moved to Menahga, MN where he met Eileen Wilmes. They fell in love and were married on April 8, 1982. They operated the Spirit Lake Café for a number of years. He also worked at Lamb Weston/RDO from 1980 – 1990. He was a gifted carpenter and woodworker and enjoyed teaching these skills to his son, son-in-law and grandson. Since the late 1990s, Carl has been very active with the Guy L. McDermeit VFW Post #6206 in Menahga. For many years, Carl has served as the Quarter Master of the post and put countless hours into the responsibilities of that position. Carl was an avid outdoorsman who loved to fish and hunt. Each year he traveled to Stone Lake, Wisconsin to harvest cranberries. He was a skilled player in competitive darts and pool where he amassed many awards. Carl was an accomplished cook who had the gift of hospitality. He took special pride in his custom sausage making for many friends over the years. He had been a long time and active member of the Gateway Lions of Menahga, the Otto Hendrickson American Legion Post #212 in Park Rapids, the Disabled American Veterans and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Above all, Carl devoted his life to the happiness of his wife, children and grandchildren who he loved with all his heart.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife for the past 28 years, Eileen of Menahga, MN; daughter, Jo (Roy) Flath of Audubon, MN; son, Scott of Menahga, MN; his 3 precious grandchildren: Brandon, Taran and Courtney; his father, Bill Nordback of Stone Lake, WI; 6 sisters: Ione “Nikki” (Scott) Nelson of Menahga, MN, Delores (Don) Thomson of Stone Lake, WI, Shelly Farley of Stone Lake, WI, Roberta “Bobbi” (John) Rogahn of Menahga, MN, Terri Nordback of Stone Lake, WI and Rhonda (Brian) Anderson of Stone Lake, WI; 3 brothers: Bill Nordback of Couderay, WI, Clay Nordback of Stone Lake, WI and Roger Nordback of Stone Lake, WI.
He was preceded in death by his mother, JoAnne who died in 1998.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, December 7, 2010 at the Cardini-Pearson Funeral Home in Menahga, MN with Reverend Steven Bruer officiating. Casketbearers will be: Scott Nelson, John Rogahn, Lyle Wilmes, Virgil Wilmes, James Warmbold and Rick Vry. Honorary casketbearers will be the Guy L. McDermeit VFW Post #6206 and the Gateway Lions Club of Menahga, MN. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Monday, December 6, 2010 at the Cardini-Pearson Funeral Home in Menahga, MN and for one hour prior to services on Tuesday at the funeral home. 

**In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred**