Jarle Martin Norstad, a lifelong resident of Cannon Falls who spent decades shaping the town through sports, service and simple daily kindness, died peacefully at his home on Friday, July 17, 2026. He was 71.
Norstad was born on February 13, 1955, in Red Wing to Orlando and Edna Norstad. He grew up in Cannon Falls and graduated from Cannon Falls High School in 1973.
The following year, on November 2, 1974, he married his high school sweetheart, Debra Lundell, at St. Ansgar’s Lutheran Church. Their marriage lasted more than 51 years.
A Coach and Teacher First
Norstad’s presence in Cannon Falls stretched across generations of students and athletes. From 1989 to 2010, he coached football for Cannon Falls High School, though friends and former players say his support went well beyond one sport. He was known for showing up to Bomber games across the board, offering encouragement no matter who was playing.
During that same stretch, he taught driver’s education through the Cannon Valley Driving School from 1989 to 1996 and served on the local school board from 1992 to 1996, helping guide decisions for the district he had grown up in.
In 1996, Norstad began a new chapter as a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service, a job he held until retiring in 2020. Neighbors along his route remember him for more than delivering mail. He offered a wave, a bit of conversation, and a familiar, steady presence day after day.
Family, Farm, and a Lifetime of Small Projects
At home, Norstad was rarely without something to build or fix. He spent hours in his woodshop crafting furniture meant to be passed down through families, and he kept busy on the farm raising cattle, tending a garden, and restoring old tractors. He played softball for years, later switched to pickleball, and always made time for a round of golf with friends. He remained a devoted, if often disappointed, fan of the Minnesota Vikings.
Norstad was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Orlando Jr., Bob, and Gary Norstad, sister RoseAnn Lindsey, sisters-in-law Bonnie and Linda Norstad, and niece Samantha Fuller.
He is survived by his wife, Debra; children Nicole Norstad and Matthew (Jenny) Norstad; stepchildren and grandchildren, including Lindsay (Jason) Reid and grandson Daniel Reid; siblings Jim, Steve, Kristi Fuller and Deb Ramstrom; and many other relatives and friends.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 25, at 11 a.m., with visitation from 9 to 11 a.m., at St. Ansgar’s Lutheran Church in Cannon Falls.
Friends describe Norstad as someone who quietly made a lasting difference in the community, giving his time to young people for decades and asking for little in return.
