Marian V. Norell, 62, Darfur, formerly of Waseca, died Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, while in hospice care in Marshall.
Marian chose to donate her body to the U of M School of Medicine. A celebration of her life will be at a later date.
Marian Norell was born Feb. 7, 1958, to Clayton and Georgia (Miller) Norell and grew up in Darfur. She graduated from Comfrey High School in 1976. She then attended Bemidji State, earning her Bachelor of Science degree in English.
She began her teaching and coaching career in Luverne, making lifelong connections. She earned her Master of Science in special education and began teaching in Waseca. She earned her certification as a guidance counselor interning at Waseca, taking a one year job at Owatonna, and returning to Waseca High School for the remainder of her 30-plus-year career. She loved going to work and was part of the shenanigans of making WHS a great place to be.
Marian officiated volleyball and softball and worked the state tournament several times. She played softball for 30 years, was a proud Education Minnesota union member, and loved old-time music and country gospel. She was always up for an adventure, and she was a great sister, aunt and friend.
Marian was diagnosed with Early Onset Dementia- Alzheimer’s in 2014 and sadly retired from her position as guidance counselor at Waseca Public Schools after a 32-year career in education.
Marian is survived by her siblings, Lynnae (Steven) Anderson, Duane (Carmen) Norell, Dale (Deb Lien) Norell, Andrea (Lyle) Blom, Karen Norell, and Jeffrey (Colleen) Norell; 14 beloved nieces/nephews; and 24 cherished great-nieces/nephews.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents; her parents; and a brother, Mike Norell.
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