Dorothy Jean (McCarty) Nordling

Dorothy Jean (McCarty) Nordling

At 101½, Dorothy died peacefully on November 2, 2024. Born to Clarence S. and Elizabeth (Woolcock) McCarty in Eveleth on April 22, 1923. She lived essentially all of her adult life in Virginia, despite her Eveleth upbringing! After attending college, Dorothy worked as a kindergarten teacher in Leonidas outside of Eveleth. She married William C. "Bill" Nordling in 1948. After that, Dorothy became a full-time homemaker, wife, and mom. Bill passed unexpectedly in 1989 at the too-early age of 69. In 1995, she married Stanley J. O’Koren, a high school classmate. Stan passed away in 2002.

Dorothy has been the matriarch of a large family for some time now. She was mom to, and survived by, three sons: Craig (Beth) Nordling, Bruce (Mary) Nordling, and Brian (Julia) Nordling. Dorothy loved seven grandchildren and 13 [great-grandchildren]: John (Carrie) Nordling [Miles, Mara]; Dan (Brianna) Nordling [Kyleigh, Kaelynn, Kaleyce]; Tom (Kaley) Nordling [Hal, Faye]; Kelly (Nate) Wood [Ava, Nolan, Mia]; Amy Brenno [Cole, Sami]; Kyle (Allison) Nordling [Madelyn]; and Chris Nordling. Nicknames adopted along the way include Grandma N-O, Grandma Honey, and Grammy. Dorothy had a special bond and relationship with every one of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Dorothy was preceded in death by five brothers: Clay, Ken, John, Ed, Herb/Bud; and two sisters, Ruth, Mabel/Mibs; and is survived by younger brother, Robert “Bob” McCarty.

Dorothy enjoyed spending time, even entire summers, at her cabin on Lake 14 for more than 70 years. In addition to raising three boys, she was a dedicated volunteer for several organizations. Dorothy loved to travel all across the U.S. and playing cards was a frequent pastime. She was a long-time member of the Peace United Methodist Church of Virginia and P.E.O. Chapter CI. More than anything, Dorothy enjoyed spending time with family and friends. She was very loved by so many and will be greatly missed.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Edgewood Vista in Virginia for Dorothy’s care during her one-year-plus stay. Having lived to a triple-digit age, sadly most of her many close friends preceded her in death. A special thank you to friend, Becky Courier, and to daughter-in-law, Shelley (Babich) Nordling, for visiting and always being there for Dorothy over the past several years.

Visitation at Range Funeral Home in Virginia will be Tuesday, November 5, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Funeral service will be held at Peace United Methodist Church in Virginia on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. A lunch will follow at the church. Please join her family for these special events.

Arrangements are made with the Range Funeral Home in Virginia. To send condolences or to sign the online guestbook, please visit www.rangefuneralhomes.com.