Magnus Nodvedt

Magnus Nodtvedt died Jan. 23, 2004, following months of intense back pain. He was born Oct. 9, 1924, in St. Paul, Minn., to Magnus and Selma Nodtvedt. The family moved to Fort Dodge, Iowa, where they lived until his father became a chaplain in World War II. Magnus Jr. enrolled in the Naval ROTC program at University of Colorado. He received training in naval aviation in San Diego and Cottonwood, Ariz. He was assigned to Notre Dame and then to Harvard where he was commissioned as an ensign.

Magnus’ naval duties began as a supply officer aboard USS Salamaua (CVE 96). Near the end of World War II he served as paymaster at Great Lakes Naval Training Station.

In March 1947, Magnus was named to Lois Roseburrough in Boulder, Colo., where he returned to university and completed his education goals, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in science. He was employed with a financial company in Boulder, Colo., for three years but left when he was recalled to duty in the Korean War.

Magnus’ assignment was to become supply officer at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. For two years, Mac, Lois and their two children were delighted with the friendliness and beauty of the Pacific Northwest. In 1952, new orders sent him back for sea duty in the South Pacific. The heavy cruiser USS Toledo 133, became his home during the Korean War.

After his tour was over, Mac brought his family to Tacoma where he was employed by United Pacific Insurance Company. Ten years later, and with four children, the family relocated to Greensboro, N.C., to join Pilot Life, Fire and Casualty Insurance Company. Another move came in 1968, when Mac accepted the position with National Grange Mutual Insurance in Keene, N.H. There he rose to the position of president. He retired in 1983, and with Lois returned to the Pacific Northwest where the four children had located.

Mac’s dream of having his own boat was finally realize. After driving with a LOMAC license plate for years, that name was put on a new trawler. He was back at sea with Lois and friends until a failure in health.

Mac came from a fine family and he leaves a fine family. He is survived by his wife, Lois, and two daughters, Paula Nodtvedt and Cynthia Reynolds, and two sons, Scott Nodtvedt and Craig Nodtvedt.

Visitation will be Wednesday, Jan. 28, from 9:30 a.m. to noon, followed by a funeral service at 1 p.m. in the chapel of Purdy & Walters at Floral Hill, 409 Filbert Road, Lynnwood. A crypt-side committal service will follow at Floral Hills Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Evergreen Home Health Care Service, Evergreen Hospice Service or Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.