Norris Carroll Albrechtson

VIROQUA—Norris C. Albrechtson peacefully passed away on Sunday, March 20, 2016, at the Bethel Home in Viroqua, Wis., at the age of 97. He was born on Feb. 2, 1919, in La Crosse, to Wilbur and Nora (Foss) Albrechtson. He grew up in La Crosse and graduated from Central High School in 1937. After serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II, he returned to La Crosse and began what would be described as a diversified career. He married Mavis Glick on July 27, 1955. Norris had many interests; but music and his Skogdalen Arts and Crafts were his favorites. His music interest ranged from playing trumpet in many dance bands in the La Crosse area to owning A&W Music Store on the corner of Third and Main in downtown La Crosse. After he retired from the music store business, he continued to play his trumpet well into his seventies. When he did retire, Norris and his wife Mavis moved to their recreational farm in Harrison Hollow near Readstown. It was there where he developed his masterful craftsman skills with wood, stone and copper. His farm, known as Skogdalen; which means "Valley of the Woods" in Norwegian was an inspiration to his creativity with his crafts. He made everything from birdhouses, shelves, mailboxes, stools, cut out lettering, signs for commercial buildings and just about anything else he could create out of wood. Being around Norris in his workshop was always fun and interesting. You never knew what he was going to come up with next for something to create out of wood. Norris is survived by his sons, Dan (Sheri) of Waukesha, Wis., and Jack (Pat) of Madison, Wis.; step-daughter, Diane Robinson (Alan) of Harrison Hollow near Readstown, Wis.; and step-son, John Glick (Sandy) of Winona, Minn. Norris was the second oldest of two brothers and four sisters and is survived by two of his sisters, Eleanor Redlin and Janice Tronick. He is also survived by eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and a special nephew, Jim Beardmore. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbur and Nora; his wife, Mavis (Glick); son, Scott Albrechtson; older brother, Bill Albrechtson; sisters, Dorothy Beardmore and Lucille Gees; and four brothers-in-law, Don Beardmore, Earl Gees, Edward Redlin and Arland Tronick. Memorial services will be held at KICKAPOO UNITED LUTHERAN CHURCH, County Road J, Soldiers Grove, at 12 noon, on Saturday, April 23, 2016, with Pastor Charles Miller officiating. Inurnment will be held at the church cemetery with military rites. A visitation will be held at the church from 11 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. On behalf of our Dad, we would like to thank the wonderful staff of the Bethel Home in Viroqua for their excellent care of Norris. Despite his age, he remained a very healthy individual most of his life. The family requests that no flowers be sent. Norris greatly enjoyed his life in Vernon County and would like to help those people who are less fortunate. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Mavis and Norris' name may be made to the Viroqua Food Pantry or the Bethel Buttik Food Pantry. Norris was very proud of his Norwegian heritage and would like to leave you with one more "Mange Tsuen Takk".