Vernol Arvid Nordling

Vernol A. Nordling

On August 14, 2025, beloved husband, father and friend, Vernol Arvid Nordling, 97, passed peacefully into Heaven from his home in Duluth with his wife and children by his side.

A lifelong Duluthian, Vern was born February 23, 1928, at home in the West End, to Swedish immigrant parents, Arvid and Vendela (Carlson) Nordling. He was a (wonderful) surprise and had two doting, older sisters, Ethel and Helen. Growing up in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, he went to the Lincoln schools and graduated from Denfeld High School in 1945. His family attended First Covenant Church of Duluth. Shortly after graduating, he joined the Army, travelling to Washington state for his basic training and then serving in Japan during peacetime as a secretary to a senior officer during the rebuilding of the Ashiya Airbase.

He returned to Duluth and attended UMD, studying business with the aid of the G.I. Bill. Once he graduated, he began working in the warehouse at Crane’s, a dry goods wholesale company. He was diligent and motivated, spending weekend free time learning bookkeeping and sales skills in the office. In 1960, after the encouragement of customers, he and two other hard-working associates, Ervin London and Edward Slonim, started their own wholesale clothing firm, Gateway Distributing Company, based out of Duluth. Their partnership was one of determination, collaboration, trust and respect. It was blessed, Gateway was successful, customers became friends. Erv retired in 1986, and Wayne Sell joined. The company finally closed its doors in 1996, really the end of an era as the internet was changing the shopping experience.

Not wanting to marry until he felt he could financially support a wife, Vern married the love of his life, May Swanson, on September 16, 1967. They had two children, Sharon and Paul, and have three grandsons, Collin, Nathan, and Colton Carmichael. Vern and May were blessed with 57 years of a loving, collaborative teamwork of a marriage and enjoyed many travel opportunities, which they both loved.

Family, work, and church have been the three pillars of Vern’s life. He was a man of deep faith, trusted completely in God, and looked for the best in every situation. A lifelong member of First Covenant Church of Duluth, service in various capacities was a joy and members became family. A generous man, he enjoyed reaching out and blessing others, acting on opportunities to encourage and support.

Vern loved music, especially singing, starting in a small, travelling group from Lincoln Junior High and continuing into adulthood, enjoying singing in the Northern Aires and various church choirs. He enjoyed nature and fishing and built a cabin on Whiteface Reservoir in the 1960’s that family and friends enjoyed for years. Planning and organizing, he always made everyone feel wanted and welcome. His sincere, warm smile was his trademark. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered. Until we meet again.

Vern was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, and brothers-in-law. He is lovingly remembered by his wife, children, grandchildren, sisters-in-law, June Lindquist and Helen Nelson, nephews, nieces, and many friends. The family would like to thank St. Croix Hospice for their wonderful care.

His funeral will be held on Friday, August 29, 2025, at First Covenant Church of Duluth: 10 am visitation, 11 am service, with luncheon and graveside service following. Memorials may be made to First Covenant Church of Duluth or other charity choice of the giver. Arrangements by Williams Lobermeier Boettcher Funeral Home.