What a woman. Aunt Norma is a legend in my mind. She was one of a kind. No one reflected the gift of joy like she did. She and Uncle Tony were a significant part of our lives when my siblings and I were growing up because our parents, Rose and Clarence Schleppe hung out with them all the time. (Tony was Clarence's nephew, child of Uncle Tony's oldest sister Katie Schleppe.) This is what I remember of Aunt Norma. Where she was, there was always lots of laughter, dirty jokes, and fun. Her and Uncle Tony were often at our house, noisily playing cards late into the night. She used to make my mom laugh so hard with her jokes, stories and antics that my mom would almost pee herself. I remember the riotous noise of their laughter kept me and my sibling awake many a night.
Aunt Norma was a great hostess and I remember our family of seven dropping into your house and her taking out loaves of bread and making piles of cinnamon and sugar toast to the delight of everyone, especially the kids.
I remember the passionate love she had for her kids. She was always their biggest cheerleader. In her eyes her sons were the most handsome of boys and her daughters were the prettiest of girls and she was furiously protective of them.
I remember her as always active and willing to try something new, whether that was a trip to another country, square dancing at the winter Olympics or getting her real-estate license after raising her house full of kids.
She was feisty and was known to get into a few rows with others, including my mother Rose. I remember once they didn't talk to each other for almost a year but eventually were enjoying each others company once again when our dad's put a stop to their spat.
I also remember Aunt Norma and Uncle Tony as people of faith who not only took all their kids to church each Sunday but also practiced their Catholic faith after all their kids left home often attending daily mass in the parish near where they lived. I can't help but wonder if it was their faith that sustained them and helped them to go on living positively and happily even after the tragic loss of their two sons.
The last time two couple of times I visited Aunt Norma after Uncle Tony's death I was heartened to see the same open, hospitable, lively person that had been a part of my life from the beginning.
She was a spark of light in this world and the world will not be quite as beautiful without her.
My condolences to you Mary Ann, Grant, Donna, Cathy, Joe and Shelly and to your families and Wayne's family. May the joy of your delightful mother and grandmother always shine in the hearts of you, your children and grandchildren.
With Gratitude for your mom, Doreen Bloos (Schleppe)
