Jeffrey Mark Nordine

            After a courageous battle with cancer, Jeffrey Mark Nordine, 64, former Bruce Crossing resident was called home to be with our Lord and Savior on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 in Williston, North Dakota.
            Jeff was born in Wakefield, Michigan, on November 25, 1952 to Thomas and Seere Nordine.  He graduated with the class of 1970 from Ewen-Trout Creek High School.  After graduation Jeff and his lifelong best friend Greg Tulppo briefly worked in Illinois before he came back to Bruces to join the family grocery business.  He worked at both the Ewen and Watersmeet stores before taking over the Nordine’s Food Store in Bergland from 1979 to 2012.  The Bergland store was truly a “family affair” as he enjoyed working alongside his children and teaching them the various aspects of the business.  His children fondly remember enjoying days with him the meat room listening to WRJO Oldies.  After selling the store in 2012 Jeff attended truck driving school, then ventured out to North Dakota to find work.  At the time of his death he was employed by A.S.K. Transportation, Williston, ND.  Jeff enjoyed truck driving immensely.  He was very much appreciated by his employer as a conscientious, honest and hard working employee. 
            On January 20, 1979 Jeff married the love of his life, Jean Smith at the Bethany Lutheran church in Bruce Crossing.  Referred to often as the 24/7 kind of couple, the two gave their three children a wonderful example for over 38 years as to what a loving marriage is.  Throughout their marriage the couple enjoyed traveling and were content to just spend time together.  One of their favorite place to go was the Keweenaw and walk the shore of Lake Superior. 
            Jeff was a 25 year veteran of the Brue Crossing Volunteer Fire Department.  He enjoyed bowling, gambling, playing pinochle, stock car racing ad was an ardent Detroit Lions and Tigers fan.  One of his greatest passions was spending time with his brothers, son and uncle at his Military Hill camp which he built with his Uncle Oscar Huhtala in 1997.  An avid outdoorsman, Jeff was known to have bagged some really nice bucks.  He also liked to hunt partridge, geese, and ducks with a little fishing thrown in too.
            Jeff was a very likeable fellow who never had a bad word to say about anyone.  He was honored and proud to be called “Dad” by his children, Jade, Jacey, and Jed.  He would lovingly tell the girls to give his grandchildren Samantha, Myles, Sydney, Mason, and Christian, a “smack (kiss) on the head from Grampa”. He also was known for this huge sweet tooth, occasionally sampling a wedding cake before the bride and groom.  He had a mischievous way about him, making humorous comments at just the right time – unexpected, but perfectly timed.   
            Surviving are his wife Jean, Williston, ND; daughters Jade (Jason) Svoke, Gile, WI; Jacey (Brandon) Terpstra, Mr. Juliet, TN; son Jed Nordine, Williston, ND; father Tom Nordine, Bruce Crossing, MI; brothers Dave Nordine and Todd Nordine of Bruce Crossing, and Terry (Dawn) Nordine of Phelps, WI; sister Connie (Sam) Schlabach, Guerneville, CA; sister-in-law Jayne LeGault, Ontonagon; grandchildren Samantha, Sydney and Christian Svoke, and Myles and Mason Terpstra; mother-in-law Mary Ann Cestkowski, Bruce Crossing; brother-in-law Tom (Cathy) Smith, Van Dyne, WI; niece Alina Schlabach, Santa Rosa, CA; nephew Zach Schlabach, Santa Rosa, CA; and nephew Thomas James Nordine, Portland OR; aunt Elvie Niemi, Hydesville, CA; aunt Bertha Huhtala, Wakefield, MI; numerous cousins and an abundance of friends; and his beloved dog Cisco and Phelix the cat.  Jeff was preceded in death by his brother Dan (Jayne) and his mother Seere.
            Visitation will take place at the Cane Funeral Home, Bruce Crossing, on Wednesday, April 26th beginning at 6:00 p.m. EST.  Funeral services at the funeral home are scheduled for Thursday, April 27th 11:00 a.m. EST officiated by Pastor Ted Trudgeon.  A light lunch will follow at Twilly’s.  Also at Twilly’s on Saturday, April 29th 4:00-8:00 EST there will be a Tribute to Jeff, where friends and family will have the opportunity to share stores and to celebrate the life of a wonderful man who was taken from us way too soon.  He will surely be missed.
 

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