Edward M. Nordin, age 90, a lifelong resident of St. Maries, Idaho, passed away on January 19, 2026, at Benewah Community Hospital—finally reuniting with his beloved wife Connie, a goal he openly set after reaching the milestone of turning 90.

Ed was born on December 24, 1935, in St. Maries to Albin and Isabel Nordin and was raised up the Benewah. He attended school through the 7th grade at the Benewah School House and later in St. Maries until the 9th grade, when he did what Ed always did—made his own decision—and left school to go logging with his father.

At the age of 18, Ed enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving his country at Camp Schwab in Okinawa, Japan. After four years of honorable service, he returned home to the Nordin place up the Benewah. After “playing around” for about a month, Ed went right back to work—this time as a faller for Hodgson Brothers. He later worked for Les Fields as a sawyer and skidder operator and went on to work as a sawyer for St. Maries Logging.

Looking for a change of pace, Ed headed to Darby, Montana, to work for his brother-in-law, Lee Schimpf, on a chicken farm. It was there that he met what he would later call “the most beautiful woman on earth,” Connie Leavens. After one fishing date, Ed decided he had seen enough. The two were married on August 15, 1964, in Salmon, Idaho. They made their home in the Bitterroot Valley and welcomed two sons, Glenn and Stacey. The family briefly lived in Spokane, Washington, before returning home to St. Maries in 1968.

Ed spent the remainder of his logging career working for St. Maries Logging and Mike Roland Logging. His career was cut short at the age of 67 when a tree was felled onto him by a crew member. Retirement didn’t suit him right away, so Ed worked security for Potlatch Corporation before finally fully retiring at age 70.

Ed was known for being stubborn, bull-headed, and unwavering—he did things his way, whether it was right or wrong, and he was perfectly fine with that. He was fiercely competitive in everything he did, from cards to bowling, and he was confident he was one of the best loggers around. He loved the outdoors and spent countless hours hunting, fishing, camping, and picking huckleberries.

Most of all, Ed loved his family—especially his grandchildren, whom he enjoyed spoiling whenever possible. He loved deeply, even if he didn’t always say it easily. The loss of Connie just months before his passing left him heartbroken, and anyone who knew Ed knew he was ready to join her when his time came.

Over the years, Ed was a member of the St. Maries Nazarene Church and the Elks Lodge.

Ed is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Stacey and Carrie Nordin of St. Maries, Idaho; grandson Brenden Nordin of St. Maries; grandchildren Cassie (KC) Becker of Wenatchee, Washington; Jake Nordin of Spokane, Washington; Josh (Kaitlin) Singleton of Spokane, Washington; and their mother, Jennifer Nordin of Tekoa, Washington; sister Ellen Wittman of Kirkland, Washington; brother and sister-in-law Sandy and Diana Nordin of St. Maries; sisters-in-law Bernadine “Tiny” Nordin of Elk River, Idaho, and Nancy Nordin of Lewiston, Idaho; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; beloved wife Connie Nordin; son Glenn Nordin; brothers Wayne, Dennis, and Bob Nordin; and sisters Caroline Hodgson and Francie Schimpf.

A graveside service with military honors will be held in late spring. The family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to Benewah County EMS, the compassionate staff at Benewah Community Hospital, Jordan Day for the devoted care she provided to Ed, Kellie Sines for her help in caring for him, and Elena Moore for the kindness and support she showed to the family over the last several months. Your compassion, professionalism, and care will always be deeply appreciated. Memorial donations are suggested to the Veteran's Outreach Center of Benewah County, 534 Main Ave., St. Maries, ID 83861.