Olive Marie Nordby

Memories from NAGC&NL

I was very fortunate to get Olive as a mother-in-law, and from her I learned a few important life lessons. "It is always good to have something sweet after dinner to get that meat taste out of your mouth." "You just need to add a little something for color." And, of course, "Never ever give up." She was amazing in her determination (and stubbornness), and set the bar very high. I always was impressed by her level of activity and the number of friends she could count on. By the time many people make it to 98, most of their peers are gone. But throughout her life, Olive and my father-in-law were active in a number of organizations, making friends with people of all ages. A lot of people learned from her over the years, and I feel lucky to be one of them. I also feel lucky that, in addition to all of the memories I have of Olive, we also have the legacy of her art. She did so many fabulous woodcuts, never selling them for close to what they were really worth, for the love of the art and the joy of knowing her patrons would own a piece they treasured. The real treasure in what they were buying, though, was the little piece of Olive that went into everything she did.

The Board of Directors and Staff of The Norwegian American Genealogical Center & Naeseth Library mourn the death of our patron and friend, Olive Nordby. We were privileged to know her and to benefit from her creative spirit and wonderful generosity. We send heartfelt condolences to Dr. Nordby, Dr. and Mrs. Jon Nordby, and to the wide circle of Mrs. Nordby's admirers .

What a gift Olive was also to the Decorah, IA community and especially Vesterheim museum. Her service, efforts and many talents were appreciated so very much by the many people who traveled to this community. She was an tremendous help-meet to her husband in their ventures serving the Norwegian-American population in this community and I am sure so many other places as well. Our condolences, thoughts and prayers be with all the family at this time. Ruth and Jim Glesne

I was privileged to know Olive Nordby for over 60 years. I knew her in many capacities. She was the mother of my best friend, Jon Nordby. For probably 20 some years I addressed her as Mrs. Nordby. As I got to know her and know Gene as an adult, our relationship changed. Greetings and conversation changed from Mrs. Nordby to Ollie. She, along with Gene, became very good friends of mine and of my wife Barb. Next I came to know Ollie as the gifted artist and value a particular woodcut of hers that gave great pleasure to my mother in her last years. I also came to know and appreciate Ollie’s generosity to the arts and charities. Most of all Barb and I so enjoyed Ollie’s friendship. She was an amazing woman who will always be remembered in so many ways by all those people she touched along her life’s journey.