Norene J. Garoutte, a longtime resident of Oregon City, OR passed away on July 25, 2023 at the age of 96. Norene was born on September 3, 1926 in Holdredge, Nebraska to Russell and Bess Nott. Norene and her family moved from Nebraska to Oregon in the fall of 1936 and settled in Corvallis, Oregon. She graduated from Corvallis High School and then enrolled at Oregon State College (now Oregon State University), majoring in Home Economics and Early Childhood Education, graduating in 1949. While in college, she met Gene Garoutte and they married in July 1950. They were married until Gene's death in February 2019.

Norene is survived by three daughters, Gayle McDowell of Tigard, OR, Janie Henderson (Dennis) of Lake Oswego, OR and Linda Buck (Ron) of Oregon City, OR, four grandchildren, Megan Melrose (Todd), Brent Robinson, Tess Robinson, Jonah Buck and 2 great-grandchildren, Samuel Melrose and Madeleine Melrose. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Karen Snider of Redmond, OR and nieces and nephews in Oregon, Washington, California, and Alabama.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, September 8, 2023 at 2 PM at Oregon City Evangelical Church, 1024 Linn Avenue, Oregon City, OR