Noel Burton Ness

EUGENE, OR­– Noel Burton Ness of Eugene passed away December 27, 2024, he was 77 years old. Noel was born November 30, 1947 in Brookings, SD to Burt and Alma (Belke) Ness. He grew up in Marshall, MN with his siblings Deb and Phil.

Noel was super good at sports in high school, he even pitched an unhittable baseball game. He graduated from Marshall High School in 1965. After high School he went on to college and attended Mankato State and Fullerton JC. Noel then joined the U.S. Army in Oct. of 1967. He served as a Army Paratrooper in Vietnam from April 21, 1968 to May 21, 1969, and was a part of; LZ English, Bong Son, Central Highlands, 3/319th Artillery, 2/503rd Infantry and 173rd Airborne Brigade. He received many Service Medal’s and Badges before being honorably discharged in May 1969. After the military Noel returned to college from 1969 to 1973 at Southwest State College in Marshall MN.

Noel and Barb moved to Eugene, OR in 1973, where Noel had a 30-year career with the Federal Protective Services, which became the Department of Homeland Security. He was a Physical Security Specialist and a Sharpshooter. Noel had a sense of calmness in tough situations, which helped dealing with demonstrations at the Federal Building.

Noel wrote columns for the Tracy Headlight Herald for 15 years. He could tell a story and had a great memory and sense of humor. He put together 5 books with 80 columns in each book. It was a labor of love for Noel.

He enjoyed pool, chess, gardening, horseshoe pitching tournaments, watching movies, loved history programs, traveling, getting together with family and friends, and he loved pizza night. Noel and Barb traveled to many fun places such as; Washington DC, Baltimore Maryland, Austin and Dallas Texas, Yachats Oregon, Lake Shetek and Barb’s family farm to name a few. Noel especially enjoyed their special trips to visit his daughter Jil and family.

Noel will be greatly missed for his kindness, witty sense of humor, friendliness, knowledge of history, his wonderful stories, and his enduring love for all that knew him. Rest In Peace Dearest Noel.

A celebration of life will be held in the Spring in Marshall, MN with military honors.

Services are in the care of Major Family Funeral Home in Springfield, OR. Visit www.majorfamilyfuneralhome.com to share a memory of Noel.