Norma I. Barnes
March 4, 1927 - June 2, 2021
        

Norma Irene Bobholz was born to Alvin and Irene Bobholz on March 4th, 1927 in Cambria, Wisconsin. She went home to Jesus on Wednesday, June 2nd at the age of 94. 

Norma was raised on a farm and she graduated from Cambria High School in 1945. She moved to Milwaukee and gave birth to her daughter, Susan, in 1948.

Throughout her life Norma held an unwavering faith in God, and was one of the longest (and most active) surviving members of St. James Lutheran Church. During the pandemic she enjoyed being able to watch weekly church online. 

She worked as a clerk typist at State of Wisconsin Revenue Department until she retired from full-time when she was 62, and then worked part-time at an office until she was 80. In addition, she volunteered countless hours for various organizations close to her heart and family.

Norma loved being a Grandma and a ‘NoNo’ (Great Grandma) just about more than anything. 

She loved traveling, venturing to almost every state and to Europe several times - especially loving England and Germany. She loved completing puzzles and word searches, knitting, crocheting, roosters and chickens, collecting nutcrackers and thimbles, gardening, going to German Fest, and anything having to do with the Royal Family. She enjoyed watching movies (‘The Sound Of Music’ is her favorite, as well as anything with Dame Judi Dench), TV (Jeopardy, Little House On The Prairie and Golden Girls were a few of her favorites), observing the squirrels play on her patio amidst her flowers, and loved going on Facebook and YouTube (and being considered a ‘cool tech-savvy Grandma’). She loved Baker’s Square and Taco Bell, German food, ginger ale, and a good Prime rib for celebrations. She always sent postcards wherever she traveled, and in recent years, loved sending emails and ‘e-cards’. She rode the city bus for years, and loved taking it with her grandchildren for trips to the library and museum. 

She loved getting together with extended family, friends and relatives near and far whenever she could. She enjoyed planning family reunions in Friesland. She spent years researching family history and ancestry and working diligently to have it up-to-date.

In recent years, she loved her weekly outings (and glass of wine while watching movies) with her best friend, Muriel. 

She lived independently until the very end, cooking her own meals and researching new recipes constantly. She was working on puzzles and even enjoyed a solo shopping trip to Target days before her passing. 

Norma joins her mother, Irene, and father, Alvin, her siblings Helen (Vilas), Harold, and Maurice (Eunice), other relatives and friends, and her cat Missy in Heaven. She is survived by her brother, Jim (Millie), her daughter, Susan, her grandchildren Chad, Amy, Katie, Beth (John), and Rob ; Great-grandchildren Finley, Harper, and Brecken, and Great-granddogs Marley, Hank, Izzie, Herman, Yogi, and Lexi. 

Visitation at ST JAMES LUTHERAN CHURCH, 2028 N 60th St, Milwaukee, WI 53208, on Friday, June 4th, from 10:00AM – 12:00PM, with funeral service immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, please consider sending a charitable donation to St. James Lutheran Church - 2028 N 60th St, Milwaukee, WI 53208. 

 

Psalm 23, King James Version: The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.