Henry Joel Nordeen, Jr.

Henry Joel Nordeen, Jr., 92, of Ottawa, Kansas, passed away Saturday, October 24, 2020, at AdventHealth of Ottawa, with complications from Covid-19. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 28, 2020, at Highland Cemetery, Ottawa. Please wear a mask at the families request. Joel was born May 7, 1928, at White City, Kansas, the son of Henry J. Sr. and Dorothy W. (Wolff) Nordeen. He lived in Ottawa since 1948. He graduated from Paola High School with the class of 1946. After graduation, Joel served in the United States Marine Corps from 1946 to 1948 attaining the rank of Corporal serving in El Toro, California. He continued his education graduating from Ottawa University in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Joel was united in marriage to Marilyn Wren June 7, 1953, at Ottawa. They were happily married 67 years and had two sons, Philip and Roger. Joel was the owner/operator of OK Photo and Radio Shack in Ottawa, from the early 1950’s until his retirement in 1996. He was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, former member of the Ottawa United Methodist Church, and member and vice president of Ottawa Gideons. Joel was an active life member and leader of the Boy Scouts for 40 years; 20 year 4-H Photographer Leader in Franklin County; 2 term Ottawa University Alumni Board member; President of the Alumni Association; filmed OU football and basketball games from 1948 to the mid 1970’s. He was a lifelong member of the Ottawa Masonic Lodge No. 18, A.F. & A.M.; member and former president of the Ottawa Kiwanis Club; and former Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard Auxiliary of Eastern Kansas. He had many hobbies including sailing, camping, traveling, model railroads, and photography. Above all, Joel loved his family and the time they spent together. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Patricia Miller. Survivors include his wife Marilyn of Ottawa; two sons, Philip (Jana) Nordeen of Carmel, Indiana, and Roger (Linda) Nordeen of Olathe, Kansas; and three grandchildren, Laura (Matt) Spann of Overland Park, Kansas, Sarah Nordeen of Topeka, Kansas, and Reese Nordeen of Carmel, Indiana. The family suggests memorial contributions to Westminster Presbyterian Church c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.