Memorial
Norita Mae Lundgren, 82, of Cedar Rapids, died Saturday, September 8, 2018 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids. Funeral Service: 11:00 am Saturday, September 15, 2018 at First Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids, 1000 3rd Ave SE. Officiating: Pastor Steve Knudson. A visitation will be held from 5-8 pm Friday, September 14, 2018 at First Lutheran Church. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery at 1:30 pm on Saturday.
Norita was born December 10, 1935, the daughter of Clarence and Lilly (Peterson) Anderson, in Worthington, Minnesota. She graduated from Worthington High School and from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN. She obtained her BA degree with a functional major in Christian Service. Her major emphasis was sacred music, however, she did additional post graduate work in organ, piano, voice and choral directing.
On June 25, 1960, she married Lawrence Lundgren in Worthington, MN. Norita was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.
During her career, Norita was an Associate in Ministry with the ELCA Lutheran Church, having served congregations in Minnesota, Illinois, and Iowa. The last twenty-six years before retirement, she served as Director of Music at First Lutheran in Cedar Rapids. There, she developed one the finest children and youth choir ministries of the ELCA. The high school church choir toured annually, and one of the highlights was being invited to sing at the Crystal Cathedral “Hour of Power” and subsequent TV coverage in America, Europe, Russia, and Australia. The choir also performed at Walt Disney World. Norita was an accomplished organist and piano teacher for twenty-five years.
She was a member of First Lutheran Church, Past President of the Beethoven Club, member of Chorister’s Guild, IMTA, National Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, National Guild of Piano Teachers, American Choral Directors, conducted youth and children’s choral workshops and consultant for youth choirs. Norita had a special love for children.
Survivors include her husband, Lawrence “Larry” Lundgren; two sons, David Lundgren, Marc (Patti) Lundgren; four granddaughters, Carrie (Rick) Fritz, Sasha (Matt) Raes, TroiAnn Lundgren, Natalia Lundgren; six great-grandchildren, Ryker, Meeka, Makaya, Bella, Korah, Gracie; sister, Carolyn Kvam-Hansman; and step-granddaughter, Loren Macaranas.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Memorials may be given to the Norita M. Lundgren Memorial for musical purposes, especially the Children’s & Youth Ministries of First Lutheran Church, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.