Be the first to share your favorite memory, photo or story of
Ivar.
This memorial page is dedicated for family, friends and future generations to celebrate
the life of their loved one.
We ask on behalf of the family that you keep your comments uplifting and appropriate
to help all who come here to find comfort and healing.
Obituary for Ivar Stanley Noreen
Ivar Stanley Noreen was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on December 13, 1926 to Swedish immigrants Idor and Anna Noreen. He received Christ as his Saviour as a young boy and faithfully attended Riverside Evangelical Free Church with his mother. Stan was very involved in church and began singing with the choir at age fifteen. Stanley began his business career at the early age of eleven as a paperboy. By age fourteen he was a peanut vendor at Nicollet Park, watching his favorite baseball team, the Minneapolis Millers. Stanley developed a love for books and spent many hours reading at the library. He attended South High school in Minneapolis and was chairman of the Allied Youth group, the lead in the senior class play and lettered in cross country track. He met the love of his life, Priscilla, at an ice skating party and they were soon inseparable. He graduated from high school in 1944. Upon graduation Stan followed in his father’s footsteps and enlisted in the Navy. In Yeoman School he studied French and sang in the Blue Jacket choir. After the war he returned to Minneapolis and enrolled in the School of Business at the University of Minnesota, graduating in three years. In June of 1948, Stan and Priscilla were married and embarked on a lengthy honeymoon touring the western half of the United States. Their first child was born in 1950 and they were blessed with three more children before moving to Denver to start a Christian bookstore ministry in 1959. Their fifth child was born in 1962. Stanley built his business, “The Bible Book Stores” and expanded into seven locations. He was very active in the business community, serving as past president of The Christian Booksellers Association, Denver Kiwanis Foundation, and served on numerous boards and committees. Stanley was a faithful member of Bethany Evangelical Free Church for over 25 years. He sang in the choir and served as Chairman of the church, an Elder, a Deacon and Sunday School Superintendent. Stan was an avid reader and also enjoyed skiing, hiking and traveling. After retiring in 1984, he and Priscilla spent the next 10 years traveling both near and abroad. Some of the many countries they visited were Russia, Spain, New Zealand, Fiji Islands, Israel, Sweden and Canada, among others. In 1987 Stanley joined Cherry Creek Presbyterian and made it his new church home. He found fellowship at Sunday morning Services, Sunday School and monthly Koininia groups. After 47 years of marriage Priscilla was called to be with her Saviour and Lord passing away suddenly in October of 1995. Though devastated, Stan was able to reconnect with a close friend, Ruth Van Hovel, also widowed. A renewed friendship blossomed into the second love of his life. They were married in March of 1996 and divided their time between Colorado and Arizona. Ruth also shared Stan’s love of travel and they made many trips visiting family, friends as well as trips to faraway places. In 2007 Stan and Ruth downsized and took up permanent residence at Wind Crest Retirement Community in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. While at Wind Crest Stanley continued his passion of reading and took daily walks on the community grounds. Stan and Ruth, his children and their families were blessed to be together at family reunions for 16 consecutive years. During the years Stan and Ruth were married, he attended all of the Van Hovel family celebrations. Although the Van Hovel clan was more boisterous than the Noreen’s he gladly participated, often wearing hearing protection to ease his tinnitus. Even in failing health and pain Stanley never complained. He maintained a cheerful, positive attitude, offering a gentle smile to everyone around him. He will be dearly missed by those, whose lives he touched; but we are comforted in knowing he is at home in heaven. Stanley is survived by his wife Ruth, children, Todd (Sandy), Jennifer (Chas), Beth (Curtis), Martha (Dave), Tim (Lori); eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Also survived by stepchildren, Karen, Brian (Lina), Kathy (Don) and John (Ruthie). Stanley is preceded in death by his parents, Idor and Anna, brother Kenneth, wife Priscilla and stepson Jim Van Hovel.
