Sherri Lynn Nord, 53 of Valparaiso, passed away on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. She was born on May 8, 1970 in Woburn, MA to Larry and Barbara (Seney) Hamm. She graduated as valedictorian of Centaurus High School in Lafayette, CO, obtained her undergraduate degree at the University of Northern Colorado in violin performance, and got her master’s degree from Valparaiso University. Sherri made her career as an orchestra teacher for Thomas Jefferson Middle School in Valparaiso for 16 years and was a member of the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra for over 25 years. She was an active member at Faith Lutheran Church where she was president of the church board, taught Sunday School and Bible study, and led youth group and VBS. Besides her faith and her music, she was a devoted wife and mother. She enjoyed many a vacation and doing any activity where she could be around those she loved.
Sherri was a counselor at Lutheran Valley Retreat just outside of Colorado Springs where she met Paul Nord. On May 16, 1992, Sherri married Paul Nord, who survives, along with their children: Micah Nord, Melodie (fiancé Gregory Keller) Nord, and August Nord; and her mother, Barbara Hamm. She was preceded in death by her father, Larry Hamm.
A visitation will be held on Monday, July 10, 2023 from 3:00 – 7:00 PM at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1700 Monticello Park Dr., Valparaiso. A funeral service will be held on Sunday, July 23, 2023, at 3:00 PM at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Memorial donations may be made to Valparaiso Christian Academy for playground musical instruments.
GUESTBOOK
My deepest sympathies on your loss. Sherri will always remain in my mind as a joyful, creative and gentle soul. Her passion for life and music will be missed. -Sally Calland
Paul and family, We are saddened to hear of Sherri’s passing. I will have lovely memories of watching her conduct at “This is our Story” always with a smile on her face. Christ’s peace be with you and yours. -Beth Scaglione Sewell
I am so very sorry for your loss. This has to be such a deep and inconsolable loss for you and your sweet family. I am thinking of you at this time. -Gerald Zani
Through my limited interactions with Mrs. Nord, I met a kind, passionate educator who loves music and teaching. My biggest condolences go out to her family. I will never forget the kindness she demonstrated, the knowledge she taught, her assistance in helping me find an interest in music, and her energy while conducting a full orchestra. -Andrew J. Chen
My deepest condolences on your great loss. You are in my prayers. -Katie Chan Chee
Paul and Family, We are so sorry to hear of Sherri's passing. She had such a positive impact on so many people, including our daughter Isabel. Her kindness and love for life and music were so infectious to everyone who knew her. We'll keep you and your family in our prayers. -Doug and Cindy Tougaw
Paul and family, You have my deepest condolences! I pray God's peace and comfort in the days and weeks ahead. -Deaconess Barb Herzinger
My proposal to my wife involved playing a song which featured a violin. Someone suggested recruiting Sherri, and she agreed immediately! It was the perfect touch that made the moment, and gave Mackenna and me an unforgettable memory that we will always treasure. Sherri’s love of music and life were as plain as the smile on her face, and she will be missed. -Erik Kispert
Deepest condolences on the loss of your wife and mother. You’re all in our thoughts and prayers. The White family from VNC soccer. -Sue White
Brave Sherri will always remain in my memory as someone willing to stand up against prenatal violence when it was unpopular to do so. Thank you, good Paul, for helping her to have that strength. May she be greeted in heaven by a chorus of the little ones she championed. Though they never got to be born, they got to be loved. -Emeritus Prof. Richard Stith (Law School)
Paul, my deepest condolences to you and the family. -Richard A. Blair
Mrs. Nord was a teacher who made everything fun. She brought in candy as a treat and shaky eggs to practice vibrato. She was considerate and kind. My sisters and I all had her. For me and my older sister, we had her all middle school and my older sister saw her in highschool. My little sister only had her for one year, but we all loved her. I am so sorry for your loss. She was a wonderful woman who will be remembered by all fondly. -Sophie Norrod
So very sorry to hear of Sherri's passing. Our condolences to Paul and the kids. Always enjoyed talking to Sherri during our Boy Scout years together. -Tammy Remkus
Mrs. Nord was an extraordinary educator and her skills and musical ability were more than incredible! She believed in me and let me into her orchestra after being out of it for a few years and she got me up to speed with the other kids almost immediately. Mrs. Nord made her class entertaining and she made it fun and easy to learn. She made sure we were all caught up and she would always do fun stuff with us to take occasional breaks. She would take us outside some days and do little projects. I looked forward to her class every single day because she always believed in me and she made sure that I knew it. So to Mrs. Nord, you will be missed but never forgotten you are an extraordinary person and from the class of 2027 at TJMS you will be forever loved! -Peyton H-H
Sherri was full of life and laughter and her legacy will live on in her children and her students. My oldest son was in scouts with Micah and did his Eagle project with the help of Paul at his church. I will NEVER forget the song Sherri made up to try and get scouts to sell popcorn. It was catchy and they listened!! Sending lots of love to the ENTIRE Nord Family. -Treva, Matelyn, Garrett Richerson and Josiah Fentress
The years we have with people we love are never enough. There is never enough time. Peace to You Paul, and also to Micah, Melodie, and August. You are loved beyond measure. -Jennifer John
I played with Sherri at the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra and can say she was passionate about her role in the ensemble and was always supportive to her fellow colleagues. She lived a model life as a musician, putting energy to her own skill and encouraging that pursuit in her students. Sheri’s passing is a great loss to the religious and civic community she served so well. My deepest condolences go out to the Nord family. -Ingrid Schimnoski
Mrs. Nord was a teacher who made everything fun. She brought in candy as a treat and shaky eggs to practice vibrato. She was considerate and kind. My sisters and I all had her. For me and my older sister, we had her all middle school and my older sister saw her in highschool. My little sister only had her for one year, but we all loved her. I am so sorry for your loss. She was a wonderful woman who will be remembered by all fondly. -Sophie Norrod
From sparkling conversations at science picnics to bringing kids together to create beautiful music at school concerts, we will cherish our memories of Sherri. Our deepest condolences to Sherri's family. We will miss her dearly and grieve her loss along with you. -Laurie Eberhardt and Peter Martin
I had the absolute privilege of teaching alongside Sherri for several of the summer camps she did for Valpo's beginning string players. Sherri carried a light that shone beautifully in everyone she interacted with and in everything she did as an educator. Her enthusiasm was contagious and her compassion was simply endless. The program will not be the same without her, but her impact sets a huge precedent for the music educators that follow in her foot steps. She will always be remembered. Blessings to you and your family. -Bethany Borgo
Mrs. Nord was one of the best people you could ever meet! She always had a smile on her face no matter the circumstances of the day. She was an amazing teacher who had outstanding music abilities. Mrs. Nord was an extraordinary person who always treated anyone with kindness and respect no matter who you were. She taught me orchestra for three years during middle school. She believed in me and my playing capabilities and told me so! Mrs.Nord made her class fun and enjoyable which was why I always looked forward her class! My favorite part of class was when we had successfully played a song after working really hard at it and taking some time to learn, she would make fudge of all different varieties and hand them out to us. I also enjoyed our tape parties. These were classes where we celebrated in taking off a finger tape on our instruments finger boards. Then to celebrate taking off the tapes we would be tasked with making something based off of a theme with just construction paper and regular tape.. To Mrs.Nord, you might be gone but I assure you that you will never be forgotten! The way you lived your life with joy and passion for music will never be forgotten, you were an extraordinary and inspirational person! From the class of 2027 from TJMS you will forever be loved! -Olliana Hardin
Our deepest conferences for your loss. It is heartbreaking. Your family is in our prayers and we will be remembering you asking the Lord to strengthen and encourage and comfort you over the next few weeks. -John and Robin Von Thaden
Barb-My sincere sympathy! -Doris Zirkelbach
Micah, our deepest condolences to you and your family. We're very sorry for your loss. Having never met your mother, it's clear she is an exceptionally talented and special person who will be greatly missed. We're thinking of you in this difficult time. -The DataCom Team
To the family of Sherri, Please accept our deepest condolences on the passing of Sherri. She was such a beautiful person who always had a smile on her face and a true passion for teaching the art of music to her students. We were incredibly blessed to have her as a part of our childrens' lives through the Valparaiso Schools Orchestra program. Our daughter began playing the violin in 5th grade and is now a junior, while our son began the cello in 5th grade and is going into 9th. We watched Sherri at all of the concerts and were always inspired, amazed, and thankful for her love of music, and the natural ability to teach string instruments to others. What an amazing person. We will forever be grateful to her for the countless hours and selfless dedication Sherri gave to our children and so many others. She truly will be missed and her legacy lives on in the many, many people whose lives were positively impacted by her warm personality and love for music. May the music in our hearts play a sweet song as we remember Sherri. With deep sympathy, -The Graf Family
Our condolences to your family as you move through this difficult time of loss. Sherri will always be remembered as an exuberant, smiling music educator. -June Saavedra and family
