Obituary of Joseph Norquist

Joseph Norquist “Dr. Joe”: Age 95 of White Bear Lake on October 12, 2024. Joe Norquist died peacefully on Saturday morning after a long decline due to several falls and dementia. He was preceded in death by his wife Marilyn and daughter Kathy (Norquist) Cowen. He is survived by his children Steve Norquist (Michael Black), Judy Gardner (Mike), Rev. Doug Norquist (Shirley), and son-in-law Dennis Cowen. He had six grandchildren, Mark Cowen (Veronica), Elizabeth Engeldinger (Tim), Grete Norquist (Peter Cornwell), Karin Larsen (Keith), Dan Gardner, and Jennifer Hastings (Tyler), and many great-grandchildren. Joe was born in St. Paul, attended Johnson High School, the University of Minnesota, and had his medical internship at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (Washington DC). He served in the army in Fairbanks AK before beginning medical practice in Thief River Falls MN. Joe always said that the highlight of his career was six years as a doctor at small mission hospitals in Iambi and Kiomboi (Tanzania). Upon returning to MN he worked for many years as a family practice physician in St. Paul and Maplewood. A man of generous spirit, irrepressible optimism, continuing curiosity, and unending energy, he was a devoted church choral singer, a frequent speaker on many topics, an actor in community theater, an amateur pianist and organist, and an occasional composer. His most important sideline was producing, writing, and filming documentaries, notably on Down's Syndrome, aging, living with disabilities, and alcoholism. In his late 80s he wrote his book “Keeping Faith in the 21st Century”. Joe and Marilyn loved church activities, wide-ranging travels, open-hearted entertaining, and attending orchestral concerts, dance, and theater. A memorial service will be held at Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church (1669 Arcade Street, St. Paul, MN 55106) on Tuesday, October 22nd, at 11:00 AM (visitation at 10 AM). Private interment following. Visitation Monday evening at the church from 5:00-7:00. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church music program or to the Minnesota Orchestra.