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Norma Calawerts
Born in Green Bay, WI on Jan 17, 1934
Departed on Jun 30, 2010 and resided in Village of Allouez, WI
Norma J. Calawerts, 76, Allouez, passed away on Wednesday, June 30 after a courageous battle with cancer surrounded by her family.
She was born on January 17, 1934 to Clarence and Ruby (Beno) Berns.
She attended St. Francis Xavier Cathedral Grade School and St. Joseph Academy.
She was united in marriage to William H. Calawerts on September 4, 1954 and for 54 years considered him her best friend and soul-mate.
Her six children, and twenty grandchildren survive Norma. Mark (Sandy), Brookfield, Michael, Kendra, Jessica, and Billy. Mary Bouche (Lee), DePere, Matthew. Michael (Rocky), Green Bay, Lucas, Brady, and Nate. Chris (Patti), Suamico, Jennifer, Elizabeth, Stephanie, Joseph, Gabrielle, and Jacob. John, Green Bay, Georgia and Sam. Anne Stewart (Dean), Allouez, Katie, Hannah, Abby, and Danny.
She is also survived by her dear sister, Irene Giese (Lloyd) Green Bay, and brother and sister-in-laws Robert and Joyce Gatske, Lakewood, and Dan and Rosalie Calawerts, Howard.
She was preceded in death by her husband William (Bill) on February 3, 2009, her parents Clarence and Ruby Berns, her father-in-law and mother-in-law Henry and Lucille Calawerts and her brother and sister-in-law Jack and Marcia Berns.
Norma’s devotion to her husband and children was second only to her devotion to God. Every day of her life was centered on her faith and love of family and friends. She was, without a doubt, an amazing role model to her children, grandchildren, and many friends. Norma’s presence made life easier for everyone around her.
From 1954-56 she supported her husband through his military service, accompanying him at Fort Benning, GA and Bremerhaven, Germany. It was in Germany that she gave birth to her first son and their family was started.
Following the military service Bill and Norma lived in Reedsville, WI for a short time before returning to Green Bay. From 1956 to 1965 she gave birth to five more children- three more boys and two girls. While she loved each child infinitely, she had a special place in her heart for her two daughters Mary (Minnie) and Annie who lovingly cared for her through her illness.
In 1980, Bill and Norma purchased Ver Halen, Inc. from Edward Ver Halen, Jr. and Harvey Nelson and moved the company headquarters from Milwaukee to Green Bay. Through Bill’s leadership and guidance, and Norma’s unwavering support, the company grew to become one of the largest independent Pella Window and Door distributorships in the country.
Throughout her life Norma provided the foundation and stability for her husband and children to prosper professionally and spiritually. Together with her husband she was supportive of many community and church organizations including the Green Bay Boys and Girls Club, Annunciation Parish, St. Edward and Isidore Parish, and St. Francis Xavier Cathedral. She was a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre and Legatus.
Norma and Bill were strong believers in the value of Catholic school education and supported the efforts of area grade schools, Notre Dame Academy, and St. Norbert College. In 2007 their family received the Notre Dame Academy Founders Award in appreciation for their outstanding efforts in support Catholic education. This was the first time it was ever presented to a family- a fact that made her very proud.
The one accomplishment in which she was most proud was her family. This included her dear husband, her children, grandchildren, and her extended “Ver Halen Family” and “Cathedral Family”. She also had numerous other dear friends she considered family including her special childhood friend June Van Ess.
Friends may call at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, 140 S. Monroe Avenue Tuesday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., with a Rosary and Wake service at 7:00PM. Wednesday after 9:00a.m. until service. Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30AM. Bishop David Ricken will be celebrating the funeral Mass along with Bishop Robert Banks and Bishop Robert Morneau, beloved family friend Msgr. Roy Klister, Father John Girotti pastor and rector of the Cathedral Church, and priests of the Diocese of Green Bay and St. Norbert Abbey. Entombment to follow at the Allouez Chapel Mausoleum. On-line condolences may be sent to the Calawerts family at www.prokowall.com. Proko-Wall Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
A memorial fund has been established to support her charitable interests.
Our family chain is broken
and nothing seems the same
But as God calls us one by one
The chain will link again.
She was born on January 17, 1934 to Clarence and Ruby (Beno) Berns.
She attended St. Francis Xavier Cathedral Grade School and St. Joseph Academy.
She was united in marriage to William H. Calawerts on September 4, 1954 and for 54 years considered him her best friend and soul-mate.
Her six children, and twenty grandchildren survive Norma. Mark (Sandy), Brookfield, Michael, Kendra, Jessica, and Billy. Mary Bouche (Lee), DePere, Matthew. Michael (Rocky), Green Bay, Lucas, Brady, and Nate. Chris (Patti), Suamico, Jennifer, Elizabeth, Stephanie, Joseph, Gabrielle, and Jacob. John, Green Bay, Georgia and Sam. Anne Stewart (Dean), Allouez, Katie, Hannah, Abby, and Danny.
She is also survived by her dear sister, Irene Giese (Lloyd) Green Bay, and brother and sister-in-laws Robert and Joyce Gatske, Lakewood, and Dan and Rosalie Calawerts, Howard.
She was preceded in death by her husband William (Bill) on February 3, 2009, her parents Clarence and Ruby Berns, her father-in-law and mother-in-law Henry and Lucille Calawerts and her brother and sister-in-law Jack and Marcia Berns.
Norma’s devotion to her husband and children was second only to her devotion to God. Every day of her life was centered on her faith and love of family and friends. She was, without a doubt, an amazing role model to her children, grandchildren, and many friends. Norma’s presence made life easier for everyone around her.
From 1954-56 she supported her husband through his military service, accompanying him at Fort Benning, GA and Bremerhaven, Germany. It was in Germany that she gave birth to her first son and their family was started.
Following the military service Bill and Norma lived in Reedsville, WI for a short time before returning to Green Bay. From 1956 to 1965 she gave birth to five more children- three more boys and two girls. While she loved each child infinitely, she had a special place in her heart for her two daughters Mary (Minnie) and Annie who lovingly cared for her through her illness.
In 1980, Bill and Norma purchased Ver Halen, Inc. from Edward Ver Halen, Jr. and Harvey Nelson and moved the company headquarters from Milwaukee to Green Bay. Through Bill’s leadership and guidance, and Norma’s unwavering support, the company grew to become one of the largest independent Pella Window and Door distributorships in the country.
Throughout her life Norma provided the foundation and stability for her husband and children to prosper professionally and spiritually. Together with her husband she was supportive of many community and church organizations including the Green Bay Boys and Girls Club, Annunciation Parish, St. Edward and Isidore Parish, and St. Francis Xavier Cathedral. She was a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre and Legatus.
Norma and Bill were strong believers in the value of Catholic school education and supported the efforts of area grade schools, Notre Dame Academy, and St. Norbert College. In 2007 their family received the Notre Dame Academy Founders Award in appreciation for their outstanding efforts in support Catholic education. This was the first time it was ever presented to a family- a fact that made her very proud.
The one accomplishment in which she was most proud was her family. This included her dear husband, her children, grandchildren, and her extended “Ver Halen Family” and “Cathedral Family”. She also had numerous other dear friends she considered family including her special childhood friend June Van Ess.
Friends may call at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, 140 S. Monroe Avenue Tuesday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., with a Rosary and Wake service at 7:00PM. Wednesday after 9:00a.m. until service. Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30AM. Bishop David Ricken will be celebrating the funeral Mass along with Bishop Robert Banks and Bishop Robert Morneau, beloved family friend Msgr. Roy Klister, Father John Girotti pastor and rector of the Cathedral Church, and priests of the Diocese of Green Bay and St. Norbert Abbey. Entombment to follow at the Allouez Chapel Mausoleum. On-line condolences may be sent to the Calawerts family at www.prokowall.com. Proko-Wall Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
A memorial fund has been established to support her charitable interests.
Our family chain is broken
and nothing seems the same
But as God calls us one by one
The chain will link again.
Evening Services: Tuesday Jul 6, 2010, 7:30 pm Parish Rosary at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral
Visitation: Tuesday Jul 6, 2010, 4 to 8 pm at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral
Funeral Mass: Wednesday Jul 7, 2010, 10:30 am at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral
Visitation: Wednesday Jul 7, 2010, 9 to 10:30 am at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral
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