Pearl Norby

Pearl Norby, 96, of Rochester, MN passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at The Waters on Mayowood in Rochester. 

Pearl Wallin was born on August 21, 1928 in Grand Forks, ND to Carl and Josephine (Forsman) Wallin. She grew up in Grand Forks and graduated from Central High School in 1946. She began nurses’ training in Everett,WA, receiving her certification as a Registered Nurse. After nurses’ training she worked in Nome, Alaska for two years with the Evangelical Covenant Church at the Nome hospital. She was employed as an occupational nurse at the Boeing Company, the U.S. Postal Service, and the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, and at Foss Home in Seattle. Pearl was married on November 12, 1960 in Everett,WA to Alfred (Al) Norby. Following their marriage the couple lived in Seattle where they raised their daughter and lived for a number of years before moving in 1992 to Mount Vernon, Washington. Al was a lifelong carpenter in commercial building and also built three of their homes. After Al died in 2004 Pearl remained in Mount Vernon until 2012 when she moved to Minnesota to live near Judy and her family. 

Pearl was a longtime member of First Covenant Churches in Seattle and Everett, WA, Rock of Ages Lutheran Brethren Church in Seattle, and Bethany Covenant Church in Mt. Vernon. She participated in Bible Study Fellowship, enjoyed tending her flowers, playing the piano, and entertaining guests in their home. She enjoyed visiting with her many friends and loved spending time with her family. She was an encouragement to many.  Pearl’s relationship to Jesus and commitment to prayer was evident to many who knew her. 

Pearl is survived by her daughter Judy (Steve) Eng of Rochester; granddaughter Jennie (Anthony) Lund and great granddaughter Adalynn of Pepin, WI, grandson Matthew Eng of Rochester, and dearly loved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Alfred, her parents, two sisters and spouses: Fran (Vern) Swanson and Vi (Herb) Swanson, and her brother Elmer Wallin.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., March 23, 2025 at New Day Covenant Church in Rochester (meeting at the Izaak Walton League Cabin, 937 - 7th Avenue NE, Rochester, MN). A second memorial service will take place in Mount Vernon, WA this summer. Pearl will be buried next to husband Al in Mount Vernon, WA. Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville, MN. Condolences and memories of Pearl are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com  In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Lutheran Brethren World Missions in Fergus Falls, MN. 

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