Norma R. Engel

Norma Rose Engel, age 84, of Appleton, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday evening, September 17, 2009. Norma was born in Mt. Prospect, IL on June 3, 1925, to the late Martin and Rose (Holste) Hasz. She attended Concordia College in River Forest, IL which prepared her to teach Lutheran elementary children.

On July 12, 1947 Norma was united in marriage to James Edward Engel at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Mt. Prospect, IL. They were blessed with 41 years of marriage, until James preceded her in death in April of 1989.

Norma taught many children about the love of Jesus at Lutheran grade schools in Milwaukee, Appleton, and Sleepy Eye, MN. She loved her students, and they loved her as is evident in the correspondence they kept with her into her retired years.

She was an avid reader and quilter in her later years. Her family received many of her beautiful hand-quilted masterpieces. Norma's greatest joys were her grandchildren, who with her help received a Christian education.

Norma is survived by her three children: Mary (Peter) Geis, of MD, Joan (Richard) Mueller, of Appleton, and James Engel, of MN; 7 grandchildren: Shannon and Michael Kennedy, Elizabeth Poetter, Daniel (Jessica) and Andrea Mueller, Jessica (Chad) Lind, Kelly Jabas, and Tiffany Engel; 6 great-grandchildren; two brothers: Martin and David (Mary Beth) Hasz; a sister, Lois Fischer; and a son-in-law, Gary (Vicki) Kennedy.

In addition to her husband, James, Norma is preceded in death by her daughter, Kathleen Kennedy; a brother: Howard (Norma) Hasz; a daughter-in-law, Lori Engel; and a great-granddaughter, Peyton.

A Memorial Service celebrating Norma's eternal life will be held 4:00 P.M. Sunday September 20, 2009 at MOUNT OLIVE EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH, 930 E. Florida Ave., Appleton. Rev. Joel Zank will officiate. Friends and family may call at the church on Sunday from 3:00 P.M. until the time of service. Norma will be laid to rest next to her husband James at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery in Mt. Prospect, IL.

A memorial fund has been established in Norma's name for Mount Olive School and FVL High School.

Norma's family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff and caregivers at Rennes Health and Rehab Center for all their loving care.

All worldly pomp, begone!
To heav'n I now press on.
For all the world I would not stay;
My walk is heav'nward all the way.

Wichmann Funeral Home
537 N. Superior Street
Appleton, 739-1231