Bruce Norell
Bruce Norell
SUN CITY HILTON HEAD, SC – Bruce Norell, 68, of Sun City Hilton Head, SC, after a valiant struggle with kidney disease and respiratory failure, died peacefully on Sunday, April 28, 2019, in Savannah, Ga. He spent his last few days at Hospice Savannah, cared for by their compassionate staff and surrounded by loved ones. Families First in Savannah oversaw the cremation arrangements. Bruce was born in Ishpeming, Mi to Reno and Anna Sue Norell on March 18, 1951. He attended Ishpeming High School and Michigan Technological University in Houghton, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering. He married Bunny (Wilma) Polaski in September 1992 in Menominee, Mi. He retired in August of 2014 from Anderson Development Co. in Adrian, Mi and moved to Sun City where they fell in love with the Lowcountry.
Bruce is preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife, his four children, Jennifer (Tom) Williams of Marinette, Wi, Brett (Rebecca) Norell of Manitowoc, Wi, Sara (Brad) Wurfel of Charlotte, Mi and Anne Marie (Justin) Webster of Highlands Ranch, Co. He and Bunny were blessed with 12 grandchildren, Samantha, Laila & Ella Williams; Brady, Keaton, Carter & Hannah Norell; Logan & Mackenna Wurfel and Drew, Bella & Cameron Webster. He leaves behind his sisters, Karen (Jerry) Plaisier and Kathryn (Paul) Kish, both of Ishpeming, as well as many cousins and friends. He is also survived by Mary Thielen of Marinette, Wi, the mother of their children, Jennifer and Brett.
Some of Bruce’s proudest accomplishments were being elected president of the 1969 graduating class of Ishpeming HS, playing in the Ishpeming Blue Notes Drum and Bugle Corp for several years, president of the Marinette, Wi Jaycees, Exalted Ruler of the Monroe, Mi Elks Lodge 1503, and current member of the Marinette, Wi Elks Lodge 1313, where he’d just finished his 48th year of Elks membership. Besides his children and grandchildren, his favorite topic of conversation was sports, particularly the Green Bay Packers. He was quick with a Yooper joke, and was regarded among his friends and colleagues as someone who could make anyone laugh. He’d been an avid bowler, skilled golfer with two aces and loved to watch Nascar racing. He could outplay just about anyone in Euchre or Sheepshead with his uncanny ability to keep track of trump.
A memorial service will be held at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Bluffton on June 8, 2019 at 11 o’clock am with a coffee reception afterwards. Memorial contributions may be made to Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 351 Buckwalter Parkway, Bluffton, SC 29910.
The family wishes to extend sincere thanks to the staff at Hilton Head Hospital ICU, Select Specialty Hospital in Savannah and Hospice Savannah, with special thanks to Pastor Angela Jennings of Lord of Life Church for her support, encouragement and many visits.