Scott Michael Nordstrom, 53, of Toluca, Illinois, formerly of Annawan, Illinois, passed away on July 25, 2024, at 6:04 A.M. at Northwestern Memorial Hospital with his beloved family at his side.

Scott was born on June 29, 1971, in Bloomington, Illinois, son of Michael and DeLores Nordstrom. He attended Roanoke-Benson Elementary School before moving to Annawan, Illinois, where he continued until graduating from Annawan High School in 1989. There, he also met the love of his life.

Following high school, Scott proudly served in the National Guard as a Stinger Missileman before attending Black Hawk Community College, and then Illinois State University, earning degrees in both agribusiness and agriculture education. He also attended ISU to be with his love, Amy Manthe, who he happily married on July 15, 1995. Together, they grew a wonderful, loving, tight-knit family, welcoming their children, Alex, Linnea, Bryce, and Noah into the world.

Scott’s happiest and proudest moments were those spent with both his immediate and extended family. He was known for being “Crazy Uncle Scott,” as he loved entertaining the kids at family gatherings. One of his absolute favorite things to do was carefully plan road trips across the country to go on with his family. He lived to see them happy and having fun together. On those trips is where he completed one of his proudest accomplishments, visiting all 30 of the Major League Baseball stadiums. Though he loved attending these professional games, nothing made him happier than sitting in the stands, and even coaching, at the games, performances, and events of his children, nieces, and nephews.

Scott had a bright, selfless, supportive, silly, and loving personality, which also shone through in his work. He was a beloved teacher, known to many as “Mr. Nordy” or “Nord” to the students whose lives he impacted over his 29 years of teaching. He always said his goal was for his students to want to come to school and walk through his door every day. He began his teaching career as an Agriculture teacher at Lincoln High School, then taught social studies at Fieldcrest Middle School briefly before rounding out his career as the Ag teacher and FFA sponsor at Roanoke-Benson High School. This past school year, he also earned his master’s degree in Curriculum & Instruction.

Scott loved teaching because he got to share his passion for farming and agriculture with his students. Not only did he love ag, but he also loved hunting, fishing, clerking at auctions, working for Hatzer & Nordstrom Equipment, watching the Chicago Cubs, listening to classic country, watching The Price is Right, M*A*S*H, and many other classic TV and game shows, and wearing his infamous plaid shirts. But he certainly loved nothing more than the time he got to spend with his friends and family.

Scott was preceded in death by his parents, Michael and DeLores (Dee) Nordstrom; his paternal grandparents, Bryce and Mary Nordstrom; his maternal grandparents, Carl and Violet Hicks; his Aunt Betty Hicks and Uncle Fred Hicks; and his cousin, Rusty Hicks.

He is survived by his loving wife, Amy (Manthe) Nordstrom; the lights of his life, his children: Alex Nordstrom, Linnea Nordstrom, Bryce Nordstrom (Ella Goodrich), and Noah Nordstrom; his sister, Kimberly Goodley (Chris Goodley); his brother, and best friend, Matthew Nordstrom (Annetta Childs); and his nieces and nephews: Michaela Goodley, Olivia Goodley, Cole Goodley, Anna Nordstrom, and Emma Nordstrom; Ryan Marchand, Ron (Kat) Manthe, Cody (Liz) Manthe, Dustin (Tonja) Specht, Jessie (Luke) Mulberry, and Sara (Jacob) Smith; and many great nieces and nephews.

Scott’s family loves and misses him immensely but will cherish his memory all the days of their lives. They find peace in knowing he was welcomed to his eternal home by our Heavenly Father and was greeted by his parents with love and care. 

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 30 at Rux Funeral Home in Galva with Pastor Bob Idell officiating. A visitation will be held from 3:00-7:00 p.m., Monday, July 29 at the funeral home. The burial will be in Bishop Hill Cemetery. Memorials may be directed in his name for a scholarship that will be established at Roanoke-Benson High School.

Our sympathy and prayers go out to his family, friends and community. 

In the sorrow of this family, may each thought, each prayer, and each kindness be a gentle comfort to them each day.