Norma Kunde

FITCHBURG – Norma Kunde, age 92, after a weekend in the presence of her family and friends, and with her three children at her bedside, passed into the arms of God and the presence of Jesus, where her "faith became sight," on Monday, April 4, 2016, at Agrace Hospice Care. Norma was born on March 21, 1924, to Otis and Sylvia Worden in Linwood Township (Portage County), Wisconsin. She graduated from P.J. Jacobs High School in Stevens Point in 1941, the Kahler School of Nursing at the Mayo Clinic in 1945 and Central State Teacher's College (which eventually became the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point) with a degree in education in 1949. Later that year, Norma married Donald Kunde, who was also from the Stevens Point area. Over the next 16 years, they lived in Milwaukee and the neighboring suburb of Brown Deer. Norma worked as a registered nurse, eventually taking night shifts while helping raise their three young children. This passion for meeting the needs of others while doing her best to ensure the well-being of her family would become a hallmark of her life. After moving to the Madison area in the summer of 1965, Norma completed courses for advanced certifications at the University of Wisconsin-Madison before beginning the next chapter of her career as a public health nurse. During her years with the Dane County Health Department, she worked with children as a school nurse, and provided comprehensive health care along with an above-and-beyond level of personal care to homebound patients in rural Dane County that included delivering food, supplies and Christmas decorations. After she formally retired from her career as a nurse, she continued to help friends and neighbors during times of difficulty amidst the challenges in her own life. She was a faithful fan for her children and grandchildren at their games and events, the "queen" in her chapter of the Red Hat Society, and an active senior citizen who enjoyed excursions with her grandkids, swimming classes and trips with friends, popcorn, jigsaw puzzles, dogs, Christmas trees and Bible study. Norma is survived by a large and loving family that includes three children, Neal (Sue) of Verona, Kevin (Cindy) of Verona, and Kari (Doug) Willoughby of Houlton. She leaves behind 12 grandchildren, Ben (Heidi) Kunde of Oregon; Paul Kunde of Oregon; Brittany Kunde of Mandeville, Louisiana; Erin (Brandon) Courts of Cross Plains; Kourtney (Matt) Dubay of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Jenny Kunde of Oregon; Tyler Klingberg of Madison; Brock Kunde of Verona; Megan Kunde of Oregon; Valerie Klingberg of Minneapolis; Bryce Kunde of Verona; and Nathanael (Katie) Klingberg of Las Vegas, Nevada; and great-grandchildren Maggie (Kesterson) Klingberg, Owen Courts, Oliver Courts, Max Dubay and Maecy Courts. Norma is also survived by a brother, Cliff (Lu) Worden of Michigan/Florida; a sister, Janice (Doug) Sorenson of Cedarburg; cousins; and many nieces and nephews who simply called her "Auntie." She was preceded in death by a younger brother, Neal, in 1944 during the D-Day Invasion; her father in 1976; her mother in 2003; and her husband, Don, in 1990. A visitation will be held at the GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL & CREMATION CARE, 7435 University Ave., Middleton on Friday, April 15, from 4-6 p.m. This will be followed by a memorial service officiated by Pastor Bill Minser of Blackhawk Church at 6 p.m., and a time of food and fellowship. Burial will be in Sunset Memory Gardens in Madison. Norma's family wants to thank all of her caregivers over the past several years and encourages people to donate to Agrace Hospice Care, Blackhawk Church or one of her favorite charities, Jews for Jesus, in lieu of flowers. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.