Norris Finneseth
November 1, 1963 - April 12, 1979

From Our Senior Yearbook

By Jeff Bylsma I remember walking through the icy forest Sunrise breaking through the trees No one was in the world that day Only Norris and me; We didn't have a care that day Neither of us knew where to go. We walked and talked as true friends do. I still see him eating a handful of snow. Norris was bigger than me in size and heart, Though in the forest I felt we were the same. We talked of football and the girls of our dreams, And played army, a fun childlike game; I remember his jolly grace skating on the ice, Playing hockey and breaking the stick. I remember his laugh that filled the sky. That day ended much too quickly Remembering now, I cry.

Norris Finneseth and his father were killed in a boating accident during spring break of 1979. Norris did not complete his freshman year, but his memory remains with those of his class who wish to remember him during this important senior year.

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Known as "Finny" and "Winnie" to his friends, he was a loveable boy with a great laugh and positive outlook. He was lost way too early to his family and his friends. While we were able to put the above page in our senior yearbook, many would still like to pay tribute. Here's our chance. Below are some of the things other students have written in remembering Norris. Thanks to everyone who agreed to share their memories with the rest of us.

If you have something you'd like to add, please email me.

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This picture was from our 8th grade English class, '77-'78.

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Memories of Norris

• I remember playing Powder Puff football our freshmen year. Norris was one of the coaches, he was helping me practice my throws as Quarterback. Gaylene Prather and I were practicing for that position, he made me throw for hours but the laughter was great. I think of those memories often and miss him.
  submitted by Justine Bianco Allen
  
  
• Norris has always had a special place in my heart. When I started getting to know him in the 7th grade I went home and told my mother about him. She told me that he was the boy that had had a crush on me in kindergarten. I remembered the situation, but did not remember any specifics. She told me that he brought me a special Christmas gift that year that the teacher had to give to my mother after school (he did not get my name in the draw). We opened the package to find that he had wrapped up three icicles and a used Christmas card for me. I did not believe that this boy from 7th grade could be the same one. I asked him about it and he was embarrassed, but admitted that it was. I never forgot that.
  submitted by Phyllis Lynn Smith

• When we were all in Pioneer Life class together in the 8th grade. Someone mentioned that Norris reminded them of Winnie the Pooh. From that day forward he was Winnie to us. Several of us adopted Pooh character names. I was Roo (I had no Kanga). After his death anything associated with Winnie the Pooh had a special meaning for me. Over the years from gifts and things I have purchased myself I have accumulated quite a collection of Classic Pooh things. I think of him every time I look at it.
  submitted by: Phyllis Lynn Smith

Hey, Teddybear

Hey, Teddybear, I hope that you know;
We love you too much to let you go!
We pray in the dark, the candles burning bright;
We've gathered together on this solemn night.
To beg God above to help you pull through;
In case you don't know, we're praying for you!
We cry through the phone, our feelings we share;
We wish we could tell you how much we care.
The only thing left on this earth we can do;
Is pray for you, Norris, you know we love you!

Angela Newell Gardiner wrote the poem above while Norris was in intensive care. After his death, she wrote the poem below.

Reminding Me of You

Raindrops race on sheets of glass
I watch them till they're through.
The path they leave is clean and smoothe
reminding me of you.
I walk outside in the morning
my feet are wet with dew.
I see the sunshine shining
bright reminding me of you.
I make a stop along my way the little doves they coo.
The children laugh, run, and play
reminding me of you.
The little boy proudly shows me his
jersey his number is 62.
He runs away when tears fill my cheeks
reminding me of you.
Rainbows come and rainbows go
they contain all the colors of the hue.
The beauty of them
reminding me of you.

Updated 11/4/00