Obituary of Duane Arthur Norquist

Duane Arthur Norquist Duane Arthur Norquist, 69, a 45 year resident of Olympia, died February 1, 2007 at the Washington Soldier’s Home in Orting. Duane was born December 4, 1937 in Walla Walla, Washington to Arthur and Dorothy (Burdett) Norquist. He graduated from Walla Walla High School in 1956. As a teen, Duane was involved with ROTC and the Civil Air Patrol in Walla Walla. Upon graduation he joined the United States Air Force and served until 1962 and then was in the Air Force Reserves. Duane then enlisted in the United States Army National Guard serving for 35 years and retiring as a Master Sergeant in 1997. He worked for the Washington State Department of Transportation as a Contract Manager for more than 25 years. Duane was also the Fire Commissioner for East Olympia, a volunteer fireman and helped to start the Medic One Program in Thurston County. In 1958 while in Japan, he married Chieko Sasaki. She preceded him in death in 1978. He later met Rita A. Black-Ross and was married on July 31, 1981. He liked fishing and hunting. He was a charter member of the River Ridge Covenant Church. We should all remember Duane for his great love of children. As a child he helped care for his younger brother and sister and many neighborhood children. As a young man of 18 and in the Air Force over seas, he volunteered at orphanages. He and his wife later adopted 12 children and was a Foster Parent to 47. Duane was also a volunteer CASA/ child advocate for the juvenile courts. He helped to coach his and other children’s soccer, baseball, gymnastics, and football teams and was always there to support his kids in sports, band music, and theater productions “Kids at Play”. He also helped start the girls’ gymnastics team at the Y.M.C.A. His wife Rita recalls, “all the times we finally had a night out (without the kids). While we were eating our dinner for two, I looked and found Duane waving and smiling at the baby at the next table or across the room.” I know what Duane is doing in heaven right now -- he is rocking all the baby angels (including our Hannah), that would be his idea of heaven. Duane is survived by his wife, Rita; 5 sons, Joshua and Cody, of Olympia, Art (Holly), of Tacoma, David Ross, Scott Ross (Patty) both of Olympia; 7 daughters, Hanna-Mari and Moira-Bess, both of Olympia, Dawn Norquist-Moore (Luther), of Colorado, M’Lisa Ross-Marks (Daniel), of California, Aundrea and Olivia, of Texas; and brother, Gary (Diane), of Arizona. He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Hannah Marguarite, his parents and his sister Sharon. He is survived by nine grandchildren, Ryan, Ashley, Anthony, Courtney, Natasha, Jason, Tristan, Cameron, Francis, Luther Ryan, & Eliana. One great grandchild, Livy and many cousins, nieces, nephews and aunts. Memorial donations may be made to a trust fund for his 3 youngest children ages 9, 10 and 12 at the West Side Branch of the Washington State Employees Credit Union or to the Griffin School Foundation. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 11, 2007 at Mountain View First Church of the Nazarene, 940 Israel Rd. S.W., Tumwater. A graveside service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 12, 2007 at Mills & Mills Memorial Park, Tumwater.