December 13, 1947 – January 20, 2026
Robert P. Noreen of Kenosha passed away at Brookside Care Center on January 20, 2026.
He was the son of deceased parents, Donald J. Noreen and Mother Bernice M (Haugen) Noreen.
Robert was born in Hudson, Wisconsin, on December 13, 1947. The family moved to North St. Paul, Minnesota. There, Robert attended elementary school and graduated from North Saint Paul High School.
Upon his graduation, Robert attended Winona State University, where he earned a degree in Technical Education. He then ventured to Kenosha for a teaching position. His first assignment was at Lance Junior High School. Robert was employed for 35 years of teaching at Kenosha Public Schools.
During those years of teaching, Robert continued his higher education, earning a master’s degree in Technical Education at the University of Wisconsin-Stout
Robert married Marilyn Wilt in November 1971. They were blessed with two children, Heather and Douglas. They later divorced.
At 29, a horrific tandem axle grain truck collided head-on into Bob’s 1975 Volvo, leaving him a future life of numerous orthopedic surgeries, a heart attack, constant medical issues, and a life of timeless recuperation.
On June 18, 1988, Robert married Kathleen A. Dischler.
Robert loved to travel. Among the many countries Robert went to were Sweden, Yugoslavia, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Belgium, Liechtenstein, Italy, Israel, Mexico City, Canada, London, and Austria.
The most memorable time of their lives was when Robert and Kathleen were on a tour of Israel. Cana, a town in Galilee, Israel, is historically significant as the site where Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding feast. It is located about five miles northeast of Nazareth. The site of Cana today is called Kafr Kann. It carries the reputation of the traditional site with good historical support for its authenticity as ancient Cana.
Robert and Kathleen had the unexpected, coincidental time of renewing their 7 years of marriage at Cana, Israel, on June 18, 1995. With the small touring tourists on that unique trip, blessed wine was served by a fellow touring priest.
In 2000, Robert and Kathleen visited families in both Sweden and Germany for three months. It was an ancestral homecoming for them. They stayed at hotels only three nights, but with their respective families the rest of the time.
Robert belonged to numerous local churches, community organizations, and professional groups. He enjoyed his Swedish heritage, family, painting, ceramics, gardening, reading, teaching, singing, traveling, documentaries, hunting, fishing, skiing, outdoors, friends, antique vehicles, and animals, especially his beloved Poodle Dancer who responded to commands learned in English, sign language and German.
Survivors are his wife, Kathleen, of 37 and a half years; daughter, Heather (James) Bonte of France; son, Douglas Kaelsson Noreen of New York; daughter, Christina (Jack) Womack of Texas; sister, Pamela (Win) Sherman of CO and MD; sister, Debra (John) Diesch of CO, and numerous cousins.
Robert‘s grandchildren are Antoine, Alexander, Anna, Alicia, Agatha, Stephanie, and Justin. His great-grandchildren are Lilith, Agnes, and Macaulay.
We extend our gratitude for the kindness, compassion, and vigilance of the few who helped in the passing of Bob. Special gratitude to activity aides, Deby, Nancy, and Payton, for their patience, kindness, and encouragement to be a champion hitter in Table Toss with other residents. We thank Bob’s loyal Kate for her daily visits, visiting friends: Pat, Jack, Mary, Allison, Nils, Soren, Rose Ann, Inez, Katie, and Lorraine.
Donations can be made to your favorite charities.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Kenosha Funeral Services (8226 Sheridan Rd.) from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM with funeral services to follow at 12:00 PM. Later, a private family gathering is planned for burial at Old Willow River Cemetery in Hudson, WI.
