Eric Russel Norha
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Eric Russel Norha, age 53, who left us on January 12, 2025. A man with a big heart and even bigger smile. His unwavering kindness and generosity of spirit touched everyone he met.
Eric was born in Brampton, Ontario on October 15th, 1971 to Russ and Linda Norha. He moved to the Minneapolis area as a young boy with his family. From the beginning, Eric was the neighborhood social coordinator… the director of fun. He had a gift for bringing people together. He graduated from Wayzata High School and then St. Cloud StateUniversity.
After graduating from college, Eric learned all about computers on his own which led to a stressful yet rewarding career in IT sales. He also enjoyed real estate and flipping properties. Eric worked hard and played harder, living life large. If it had a motor and went fast, he was on it. Especially fast boats. Eric loved Lake Vermilion and fishing. But mostly, he loved people. He loved his friends, family and most of all his wife, Katie; daughter, Livi; and bonus-son, Kayden.
Eric was preceded in death by his father, Russ Norha. He is survived by his wife, Katie Loija Norha; daughter, Alivia Norha; stepson, Kayden Kraker; mother, Linda Norha; sister, Anita Norha (Scott Daniels).
SendOff Details
We will be honoring Eric with a Celebration of Life and a time of sharing followed by refreshments and hors d’oeuvres this Saturday, January 18th, starting at 2:00PM. Location Rush Creek Golf Club, 7801 County Road 101, Maple Grove. Memorials preferred to The Retreat.
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Eric was such a vibrant, energetic, charismatic and lover of life person. I cherish memories spending time at the Norha’s home and our summers up north in Biwabik. Rest in peace and we pray for family to also navigate this loss.
When I moved to Minnesota in the early 1980’s Eric was one of my first friends. I reflect back on many great memories with Eric, hanging out at lake vermilion, playing Hockey at his house, skiing in Colorado and the long discussions wondering if girls will ever talk to us when I was 14 and living at the Norha’s for a while. (This was also my introduction to Motley Crue). The great memories continued in high school and College when we were roommates at St. Cloud state. I feel fortunate that we shared all the experiences that we did together and I am very sad that he is gone. I hope he is has found peace and that I see him in the next life.
Brian Hussey
I have many wonderful childhood memories of hanging out with Eric… Swimming in the Norha’s pool, playing hockey on the frozen pond behind their house, and riding our bikes to school. When we were in 6th grade and my family moved to the Seattle area, Eric gave me a card that said, “Even though you are moving away, I know we will still be best friends.” And all through the years, no matter how long between visits, he kept that promise.
Sending prayers to the entire Norha family, especially Eric’s sister Anita. LLM, Mica