Pete Noreen Obituary

John Peter Noreen, "Pete," was born in Menomonie on December 31, 1941, and passed away on October 21, surrounded by his beloved family. A loving spouse, father, grandfather, and friend, Pete was known for countless traits including his work ethic, stories, compassion, and quick wit.

Pete graduated from Menomonie High School in 1959 and UW Stout in 1964 with a degree in industrial arts education. He truly enjoyed teaching Menomonie Junior High students for 35 years.

He married Jill Curran on August 3. 1963 and celebrated 61 years with his best friend and soulmate.

Throughout his life, Pete dedicated himself to sharing, teaching, mentoring, and coaching the skills of industrial arts, football, basketball, fishing, hunting, and craps. People were drawn to his warm spirit, whether they were family or friends. former students, bank tellers, strangers, or even a willingly domesticated partridge. Squirrels were his only nemesis.

Accomplished, but preferring to direct the spotlight onto others, Pete was recently inducted into the Menomonie Hall of Fame. His acceptance speech centered on how proud he was of his grandchildren. The exception to his humility was when, on occasion, he reminded people that he was the spelling bee champion ... in second grade.

A storyteller at heart, Pete was also a maple syrup-making pioneer, outdoorsman, and camper. He loved cheering on his children and grandchildren alongside his wife, Jill, and supporting them in all their endeavors.

He proudly served his community as a Board member of WESTconsin Credit Union and the Dunn County Historical Society. He snow-plowed his way through neighbors' driveways and non-profit parking lots. Pete was also a longtime member of the First Congregational Church-UCC Menomonie.

Pete is survived by his devoted wife, Jill; his daughters, Julie (Keith) Larson, Nancy (Craig) Chrest.Deanna (Scott) Ebert; sons, Mike (Sarah) Noreen, and Sam Ebute; and 12 grandchildren, Alex (Jas),Kelly (Brooke), Maxx (Hayley), Cody (Shayli), Jaxson, Nik, Ben, Jake (Des), Ray, Peter (Sarah), Aeva and Oko. His sister also survives him, Pat Desnoyers (Nick Niederlander), as well as in-laws, John and Gloria Curran, Dan and Shirley Curran, Dave and Myra Curran; nieces and nephews; and dear friend Dianne Mcleod; and his fishing and hunting buddies.

Instead of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Menomonie Athletic Booster Club or the Menomonie First Congregational Church-UCC, honoring Pete's commitment to his community and the countless lives he inspired. He will be dearly missed, but his spirit will continue to shine through the lives he touched.

Memorial services will be held at 5 p.m. Friday, November 1 at First Congregational Church-UCC in Menomonie with Pastor Matt Larson officiating. There will be a visitation from 2-5 p.m. at the church with a celebration of life at 6 p.m. at Dean & Sues Bar and Grill in Menomonie.

The memorial service will be livestreamed at menomonieucc.org.

Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie is serving the family.

To share a memory, please visit obituaries at olsonfuneral.com.