Today, homeowners across East Central Minnesota know Nordenstrom Custom Homes, Inc as the area’s premiere custom builders of panelized homes. We proudly provide our clients with floor plans that fit their wants and needs, from two story house plans to open floor house plans, and the building services to turn the floor plan into a reality. However, some folks may not know that our residential construction company has roots dating back to the late 19^th century, and 4 generations of Nordenstroms have poured their souls into creating our company.

1^st Generation - John Oscar Nordenstrom brought his family from the area of Jamtland, Sweden and settled on a farm in the Mora Minnesota area in 1888.  He was a plaster/stucco man.  He was known for his talent as a great fiddle player and was honored to perform a concert for the King and Queen of Sweden prior to coming to America.

2^nd Generation – John Bernard (JB) Nordenstrom lived on several farms in the Mora area before settling in the village of Mora in the home in which he spent his retirement years.  He was also a plaster/stucco man and branched into his own general construction business with a focus on masonry/concrete.  He constructed many commercial building during his career and had contracts with the Ford Motor Company and Land-O-Lakes.  He was an excellent (self-taught) fiddle player and in his retirement years he spent many hours entertaining his grandchildren with his fiddle playing.  He was also known for his raspberry garden and shared them with his family and friends.

3^rd Generation – Bernard Willard Nordenstrom and his family lived in the Mora area most of his life.  Bernard was a B-24 Pilot in World War II and flew many missions over Germany.  Bernard specialized in Concrete and Masonry and formed his own construction company (Bernard W. Nordenstrom Construction) in 1957.  He focused primarily on commercial projects and would occasionally build custom residential homes.  He and his wife Maree operated the company for many years and were involved in all aspects of community life as a Mason, an elected member of the Mora City Council and a Trustee for the Mora United Methodist Church.  In 1974 David and 1976 BJ, joined the company and assumed full operations 1n 1978.  At that time Bernard and Maree began their retirement – traveled and wintered in Arizona.

4th Generation - Bernard John (BJ) Nordenstrom is a lifetime resident of Kanabec County and has been married to his wife Mary (Barnick) Nordenstrom since 1979.  They have two sons, Adam and Joe.  Adam is currently self-employed as a finish carpenter sub-contracting to various general contractors.  Adam is married to Sara and they have two children – Ben and Hailey.  Joe graduated from Heavy Equipment School in Staples, Minnesota and returned to the carpentry field in commercial work traveling to many states.  Joe is in a relationship with Jenni Henery and they have two sons Soren and Reno.  BJ attended two years at St. Cloud Area Vocational Technical Institute and graduated with a degree in Municipal Engineering.  He was a board member and past President of the Kanabec County Historical Society.  BJ also volunteers many hours to assist in historical reconstruction projects and fund raising.  He is assisting the Ogilvie Back to the Tower restoration and museum project and the Seven County Senior Federation energy upgrade for their One More Time retail store.  He is a member of the National Association of Home Builders, the Minnesota Builders Association and the Central Minnesota Builders Association and the NAHB Systems Building Council.  He is a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Mora where he plays guitar and assists in the musical contemporary service held each Sunday and has served on several other church boards and councils.  BJ attended a Cursillo weekend and has participated in other Cursillo weekend retreats for the experience of others.  BJ is Nordenstrom Custom Homes, Inc. Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and is responsible for all computer operations.  BJ has received certifications from manufactures as a professional installer of their products and participated in on-line classes.  BJ received his State of Minnesota Contractor’s License in 1993 and in 2019 BJ was appointed to serve on the Amwood Homes/Components Dealer Board.  Amwood Homes/Components is a supplier of panelized products for the home building industry.

4th Generation - David Nordenstrom a lifetime resident of Kanabec County Minnesota is married to his partner Ginny, for over forty special years.  They raised two daughters: Karen a graduate of Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota and received a Master’s Degree from St. Johns University.  Katherine who also graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota and is currently working on her Master’s Degree through Mankato University’s online program.  Karen currently works for a large industrial services company and Kati has her own daycare facility and is the mother of our two grandchildren and one stepgranddaughter.  David and Ginny just recently moved into their new home on Pokegama Lake in Pine County, Minnesota.

David served for four years in the United States Air Force 1968 – 1972, serving one year in Vietnam.  Prior to the service he attended two years at Thief River Falls Vocational school for Architectural Drafting and after the service attending two years at St. Cloud State University until an illness with his father required his returning to Mora to assist in the family business.  After his father regained his health he decided to stay in the Construction business with his father which then became Bernard Nordenstrom and Son Construction Inc.  David met his future life partner at this time and they were married September 14, 1974.  David always believed one should give back to the community and surrounding area and became involved in many organizations.  He served for two years as the president of the Mora Area Chamber of Commerce and for four years on its Board of Directors, served as an advisor for the Mora Planning Commission and served and chaired the Mora Commercial Industrial Commission and on several other community redevelopment boards.  He served two terms as the chairperson for the Chamber Tourism Committee and established its first tourist information center and served two terms as the Secretary/Treasurer for the Minnesota Arrowhead Tourism Association.  He established, chaired and served on the Chambers Home show Committee for eight years.  David served on a Blue Ribbon Advisory Committee for building projects and locations for the Mora School Board and with the School and Chamber established Kanabec County’s first Junior Achievement Program and also served as a Junior Achievement advisor.  David is also a member of American Legion Post #201 for over 30 years.  During the 2007-2010 recession Nordenstrom Custom Homes, Inc. opened an office in Williston, North Dakota where David was a member of the Williston Chamber of Commerce and served on its’ Government Affairs Committee for two years and was a member of the Williston Area Builders Association (WABA) Served for four years on its Board of Directors, served as its president and served on WABA’s web site development committee and Home Show committee.  David also served on the North Dakota State Home Builders Board of Directors for two years.  While in Williston David attended the Faith United Methodist Church, served on several committees and served and worked on the Saturday night “GIFT” service, a service dedicated to serving the homeless and those in need of help with a meal and spiritual support for four years.

David and his family attend the Mora United Methodist Church and is past chairperson of the Finance and Memorials Committees, served on the sound and lighting committee, past member to the Church Trustees and a member of the Methodist Men’s club.  For twenty-two years David served on the United Methodist Churches Northeast District Building and locations committee, responsible for assisting all the Districts Churches in their site planning, financing and building/remodeling plans.  After a devastating fire destroyed most of the Mora Church, David and Nordenstrom Custom homes, Inc. worked with the Church Trustees and managed the rebuilding of the church including the restoration and rebuilding of the recently installed pipe organ. Nordenstrom Custom Homes, Inc. also assisted the Finlayson United Methodist is designing, building and managing the construction of their new church, working with many volunteers to complete the project.  Nordenstrom Custom Homes, Inc. and David have worked with and donated many hours to assist other non- profit organization to repair buildings, apply for grants, supervise volunteers and provide estimates to better our communities.  David also served on the Mora Housing and Redevelopment Authority Board for 20 plus years working for the betterment of the Mora community, its’ senior citizens, its’ low income residents and while on the Board worked with the city of Mora in providing additional senior housing and obtaining an assisted living/memory care facility for this community.

David is a member of the Central Minnesota, State of Minnesota, and National Association of Home Builders for over 30 years with a stated goal of bringing professionalism and competency in the building profession.  David holds a current State of Minnesota Builders License.  Nordenstrom Custom Homes, Inc. is a national award winning Builder and received awards for Outstanding Sales and Marketing Brochure, Best small home exterior and interior design and from NAHB an excellence in Marketing Award.  David was also recognized by Better Homes and Gardens Magazine as one of the Nation’s Outstanding Builders.      

David was appointed to serve on the EPS (Energy Panel Systems) Dealer Advisory Board in 2020.