Mette Maj Norddahl Kirsch, 40Sauk Rapids, MNHerringe, DenmarkMarch 30, 1976 - March 28, 2017Mette Maj Norddahl Kirsch died March 28 in Herringe, Denmark. She was born on March 30, 1976, in Faaborg, Denmark, the eldest child of Birgir and Helle Norddahl. She was baptized and confirmed in Herringe Parish. She attended the local elementary school in her village and later the local high school, Midtfyns Gymnasium. She went on to study at the University of Copenhagen, Lund University in Sweden, and the University of Iceland, earning her master's degree in Biology in 2003. In 2000 Mette met Jason Kirsch while studying in Reykjavik, Iceland. They were married on August 4, 2001, in Herringe, Denmark. From 2001 to 2010 she and Jason lived and worked in Copenhagen, Denmark. Mette worked as a biomass research coordinator at the University of Copenhagen. In 2010 they moved to Sauk Rapids, Minnesota. In Minnesota Mette was a stay-at-home mom and volunteer. She was active in the local MOMS club, volunteered at the SCSU Community Garden, and for one school year was a VISTA volunteer at Pleasantview Elementary School in Sauk Rapids. Among Mette's many different interests, she loved reading perhaps most of all, and she shared this activity with her children. She was a loving, creative, enthusiastic, and spontaneous person. She loved life, and her children meant the world to her. Elsa Astrid was born in 2008, and Karl Valdemar in 2011. Mette will be greatly missed by her husband, Jason, her children, Elsa and Karl, her parents, Birgir and Helle Norddahl, her brothers, Jon (Anni) and Martin Norddahl, her in-laws, Don, Deanne, Joel and Jeremy Kirsch, three nieces, Esther and Agnes Norddahl and Alyssa Kirsch, several aunts and uncles, and by many great friends in Copenhagen, Denmark and in the Saint Cloud area. She was preceded in death by her paternal and maternal grandparents. The funeral was held in Denmark on April 3, but a memorial service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, on Friday, April 28 at 4:00 pm. Memorials are preferred to Prince of Peace Lutheran School, Place of Hope in Saint Cloud, and the SCSU Community Garden.