Norris Ace

Norris Raymond Ace of Woodbury, died peacefully on June 14, 2020, in Hudson, WI at the age of 90.

Norris was born on January 26, 1930, in Oregon, WI to Burdette and Eleanor (Pilar) Ace. He was a Badger his whole life, playing football for the University of Wisconsin and graduating with an Agricultural-Economics degree in 1953. He married his ‘sweetheart’, Judy, right after graduation and was commissioned as a 2nd Lt in the United States Army, serving in Japan for a year.

Norris was born to be a salesman. His sales career began in Thief River Falls, MN with Midland Cooperatives. He loved people and he loved their stories, which made him a successful salesman. He continued his sales position through many mergers, ending his career with Cenex/Land O’Lakes.

Norris was an avid athlete and sportsman. He played semi-pro baseball for the Madison Muskies in his youth. He also enjoyed many fly-in fishing trips to Canada with his family, deer hunting trips to Wyoming, and duck hunting in Northern Minnesota.

Mostly though Norris’ life passion was Judy, his children and his grandchildren, and his faith. He was a devoted husband and a dedicated father. He was a member of St Ambrose Catholic Church. He enjoyed his time with the Ambrosians. He was larger than life and will be greatly missed.

Norris is survived by his wife, Judy; children, Deborah (Mark) Ace-Lipke of Grantsburg, WI; Amy (Tom) Ace Lance of Stillwater MN; Mindy (Brian) Ray of Rimrock, AZ; Kevin (Julie) Ace of Stewartville, MN; Kerry Ace of Faribault, MN; Melissa (Frank) Puglisi of Woodbury MN. Norris was blessed with 19 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter Mary Ann, son Timothy Edward, and son-in-law Christopher Robert.

A Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, June 18, 2020, at 11:00 a.m at St. Ambrose Catholic Church; 4125 Woodbury Drive, Woodbury. Interment will be in St. Bernard’s Catholic Cemetery in Stewartville, MN. Memorials preferred to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. Funeral and cremation services have been entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Hudson.