Obituary of Norman Carl Danielson

NORMAN CARL DANIELSON Norman Carl Danielson passed away February 12, 2015. Born March 24, 1915; the second of three sons born to Alfred and Lena Danielson of Colton Oregon. He graduated from Colton High School in 1933 and in '38 graduated with a degree in Business Administration from the University of Oregon. He moved to Washougal, Washington on Labor Day of the same year where he, along with his brothers, Val and Gil, purchased a hardware store. Norm was selected to manage it. When World War II broke out he proudly served his country in the United States Army Air Corp. He was stationed at Selfridge Field in Mt. Clemens, Michigan where he met his loving wife Audrey Sanders. They were married September 29, 1945 and traveled by train back to Washougal. They built a home there in '48 and raised two sons. They built another home in Camas, in 1965. Norm enjoyed a long and productive career in the retail business, starting with the hardware store in Washougal. In 1962 Danielson Hardware was sold and he joined his brothers in the grocery business with the purchase of Wright's Grocery business formerly Surbeck's in Washougal. The business and number of stores grew over the years and in 1995 at age 80, having spent 57 years in business, Norm decided to retire, selling his shares of the grocery business which encompassed four Thirftway stores in Clark County. Norm lived a life of service. He was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church, serving on the church council, charter member of the Washougal Lions Club, past President of the Washougal Chamber of Commerce, lifetime member of the 182nd Masonic Lodge, The Elks Lodge, Director of the Bank of Washougal and a member of Orchard Hills Golf and Country Club. In addition to volunteering his time to the community, Norm contributed generously to his church, Danielson Hall which bears his name; Camas Boys and Girls Club, Washougal and Camas School Foundations and the Washougal Soccer Field, also bearing his name. He was also active with the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington and the Columbia Land Trust of Vancouver. He started the Norman C Danielson Foundation, a charitable foundation benefitting the Camas, Washougal and East Vancouver communities. Norm loved golf, travel and travel included golf senior activities with his church and lunches with long time friends each week. He was preceded in death by his wife Audrey in 2000 and his two brothers. He is survived by son William of Vancouver; Douglas Susan of Camas; grandchildren Brooke Jon Jordan of Camas and Derek of Vancouver; sister-in-law, Alice Danielson of Vancouver; and several nieces and nephews. Norm's life will be celebrated on Monday, March 9 at Zion Lutheran Church at 11AM. Straub's Funeral Home & Columbia River Cremation in Camas is in charge of the arrangements. To send condolences or to sign the online guest book please visit www.straubsfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers you may donate to the: Community Foundation of Southwest Washington @ 610 Esther Street, Suite 201, Vancouver, WA 98660 https://www.cfsww.org/ Telephone: 360 694-2550