Obituary of Antti Nordlin

Dear Dad, You're gone now and where you are I cannot gather. Surreal. You've left. Your home silent. Picture boxes full of memories only brought to life by your smile, your story, your voice. They remind us of the life you lived, so much more than how we knew you Father, Brother, Husband to our mother, Grandfather. You were so much more. You were young Antti: The Mormon Missionary, the young husband, the Finnish immigrant, the charismatic and educated businessman, the ski instructor, a gifted linguist. And you were also Erik: The father of four, the provider, the soul mate to our mother Kathy, and a teacher of life; knowledgeable about the world, wise. You were a late night phone call: "Hello love." A Sunday morning omelet. You were warm slippers and "take your jacket, it's cold outside." You were luxury cars and BBQs and CNN, Newsweeks, and newspapers and coffee with cream. You were bagels and lox and steak with potatoes, strawberry cheesecake and dessert for dinner. You were a wiggle-your-hips dancer, a beautiful singer, a listener of opera/classical/oldies. You were "look at the beautiful trees" in the Autumn. You were a people-watcher, a people-person, a conversationalist, you were a bench-sitter, a strangers are just friends you have not met yet sort of man, a warm hand-shake. You were a thought filled pacer, a dreamer, a guess who's coming to dinner. A friend to all. You were a father-son walk in the park, a sharer of your love for sports, a discusser of past business exploits, worldly experiences, and "did you know" facts. You were a looker, a gorgeous man in your youth and you were a comb carrying "how's my hair" even when you could not stand from your hospital bed. You were "I believe in you," and a proud father first to tell all about your children's accomplishments, beaming. You were the Mormon Finn who saw past social norms, politically correct ways, and tisk-tisk critics to marry a Russian Jew from New York, 12 years younger. You were a procrastinator but you were live in the moment. You were "I love you Juska lovey" to our mother. You were "lets move in together" after two weeks" and "lets get married" after two-months. You were over 30 years of marriage to your soulmate and you were "I miss her soo much" over the last five. You cried when you lost your mother and again many times after we lost ours. You were softer in your later years, something that can only come from loving and losing and grieving with the sorrow of a young man (hopeful for more) and the gratefulness of an older man (reflecting with joy). You were a big strong man in mind (stubborn at times) and in body and this is what made old age, bodily pain, and emotional hardship (the loss of your soulmate, loss of physical faculties) so difficult to bare. But mostly we remember your laugh, your sense of humor, your hugs, your soothing tone of voice, your smile and your last words to us: "I love you." In all this, I have found you again. You are here. You are in Heaven. You are everything we are, will learn from. You are with mom now the way every great love story must end. Only this one will not end here but be carried within our hearts forever. We love you dad, Michael, Kristina, Markus & Kathy Antti Erik Nordlin died Monday afternoon in Roseville, CA, he was 71. "Erik" was born and raised in Finland, immigrated to America in his 20's, lived in California throughout most of his life, and last called Chico his home. He is preceded in death by his wife of over 30 years, Kathy Nordlin. He is survived by his eldest children from his first marriage, Markus Nordlin of Fullerton, CA, and Kathy Jacques of St. George, UT; his children from his second marriage Michael Nordlin of Weimar, CA; and Kristina Nordlin of Sacramento, CA. He is also survived by his sister Aulikki and ten grandchildren. The viewing will be held Saturday, November 22, at the Brusie Funeral Home: 626 Broadway, Chico, CA, from Noon to 1:30. The funeral service will be held at Glen Oaks Memorial Park: 11115 Midway, Chico, CA (cross street: Hegan Ln.) from 2pm-3pm. All that knew and will miss Erik are welcome to attend.