Tribute

Louise Patricia Norquist
October 16, 1914 – March 6, 2011
Louise passed away peacefully at Joseph Creek Care Village in Cranbrook, BC on the morning of Sunday, March 6th where she had been a resident for the past three years. She was born in Penticton, BC, the youngest daughter of Edmond and Eva Nagle (Klapstein). Her parents were early pioneers in the North West Territories prior to moving to Penticton shortly after the turn of the century.
Louise trained to become a nurse (RN) at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver before moving to Kimberley to do summer relief work at the local hospital. Her oldest brother, Ted Nagle, (Winnie) and one of her sisters, Tess Felker (George) provided her with the family connection. Her first full time nursing position was at the St Eugene Hospital in Cranbrook and she later moved to Nelson to continue her nursing career.
Louise married Nels Norquist (now deceased), an airline pilot with Air Canada. Throughout Nels’ career, they lived in many places throughout Canada. They had three children, Bill Norquist (Jean) of Vancouver, Jim Norquist (Myrna) of Pitt Meadows and Karen Apps (Bob) of Kimberley. Louise is also survived by ten grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, two nieces, Joan McLean (Keith) in Cranbrook , Frances Kimpton (Jerry) in Invermere, one grand niece, Elaine Angeles in Port Coquitlum, and two nephews, Geoff Nagle (Louise) of Golden, and Barry Nagle of Victoria.
Louise had many passions and interests. She learned to curl at the age of forty and went on to be the first woman in Canada to win a car while curling in a bonspiel. She was part of the team of “curling grannies” who travelled to Scotland and won the Johnny Walker Gold Plate several years in a row against predominantly men’s teams. She loved to travel and she explored many exotic places throughout the world during her travels. When Louise moved to Kimberley in 1978 she learned to play Bridge and it quickly became a passion of hers during the ten years she lived in Kimberley and thereafter in White Rock. When she retired from curling, she volunteered with the Seniors both in Kimberley and later in White Rock. She also spent many hours volunteering with the Hospital Auxiliary in Kimberley and White Rock.
Louise was well known for her zest for life, her inner strength and resiliency but in particular, for her love of family and her wonderful sense of humour. This “larger than life” lady will be sadly missed by all her family and friends.
We would like to thank Dr. Silvia Solcova for her wonderful, supportive care of Louise and the staff and volunteers of Joseph Creek Care Village for their kindness and thoughtfulness.
A Celebration of Louise”s life will be held in the summer. If friends wish to remember Louise with a memorial donation, her favourite charity was the Children’s Hospital.