Terry “Bloop” Nordstrom

An amazing and selfless brother, uncle and friend, Terry “Bloop” Nordstrom, 65, of
Melrose, Wis., passed away after a 13-year battle with mesothelioma on Oct. 7,
surrounded by family at Gunderson Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse, Wis.
An inspiration to family, friends and other mesothelioma survivors, Bloop lived his life to
the fullest, enjoying the outdoors and traveling with friends and family. His unending
generosity made him a wonderful friend to everyone he met as he assisted with
numerous projects. Bloop was a person you could count on for just about anything.
Bloop grew up in Melrose where he played basketball, earning his iconic nickname.
Following graduation he worked for Nordstrom Construction and also joined the
National Guard. He became a part owner of the construction company, where he
worked for nearly 40 years.
He met and married the love of his life Brenda in 1994, who preceded him in death in 2024. Through Brenda, he gained more family in her daughter and children.
An avid sportsman, Bloop made many fishing and hunting outings. He and friends
would travel to northern Minnesota, Kentucky and Ohio as well as to the many rivers
and lakes in the area. Bloop always made the biggest and best catch of the day. He was
a lifelong deer hunter and also hunted waterfowl and moose, traveling to Canada for the
big horns and birds.
He was an active member of the Quad County Turkey Federation, serving as club
treasurer, and Melrose Rod & Gun. He also served on the Melrose Village Board and
was a volunteer fire fighter.
Bloop and Brenda traveled to California, including Yosemite National Park, a favorite of
his, as well as the Caribbean. Following his semi-retirement, he purchased a camper
and made family trips around Lake Superior as well as a recent trip to Teddy Roosevelt
National Park, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Glacier National Park, Devils Tower and the
Badlands.
Bloop had no trouble making friends as he would talk to anyone anywhere. His
unfiltered personality was well known among family and friends.
He is survived by five siblings – Randy (Teresa) Nordstrom of Long Beach, Calif., Nancy
(John) Solberg of Onalaska, Mary (Mark) Hatlevig of Melrose, Susan (Glenn) Isensee of
Minocqua and Diane Nordstrom of Madison. Seven nieces and nephews – Travis Cook,
Stephanie Sullivan, Alyssa Ritter, Andrew and Alex Hatlevig, and Molly and Chris
Isensee; three grandchildren – Corissa Prochaska, Matt Buttchen and Mike Buttchen,
and 10 great grandchildren.
Visitation and service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 11 at South Beaver Creek Lutheran
Church. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with service at 2 p.m. Attendees of the visitation and funeral are asked to wear t-shirts with the sleeves cut off, Bloop’s
favorite fashion statement! Burial will be held at Melrose Cemetery following the service
with lunch at The Old School in Melrose.
Bloop thought cut flowers were a waste of money so donations can be made in his
honor to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, Melrose First Responders or
South Beaver Creek Lutheran Church.