Norma Moyer

When reflecting on the life of Norma Moyer, it is easy to see that there were two constants in her life – her faith and her family. Her faith was both her shelter and her strength, and her family was both her greatest gift and her highest calling. Norma was loving and generous as she gave much of her time and talents to others, always putting the needs of everyone else before her own. She was a woman of great strength coupled with a timeless grace who simply dusted herself off and kept putting one foot in front of the other when the trials in life pushed her down. A true gift to those around her, Norma leaves behind lessons in faith, selflessness, and determination that will live on in the hearts and lives of those who will cherish her memory.

The 1930s are very much defined by the Great Depression that gripped our nation throughout the entire decade, but we continued to strive forward during this time, too. Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic, Will Rogers began his career as an Oklahoma cowboy, and Parker Brothers introduced the game of Monopoly in 1935. It was during this unprecedented time that Walter and Olga (Abramoff) Kuisell welcomed their daughter, Norma, into their hearts and home on March 29, 1938. Born in Detroit, Michigan, Norma joined her older brother Howard “Bud” and older sister Marilyn. Her parents made a life for Norma, her brother, and sister in America after emigrating from Eastern Europe, instilling within Norma the idea that one can do anything as long as they try hard enough. Tragedy struck early in Norma’s life with the death of her father when she was only nine years old. Her mother was a strong woman, however, who supported herself and her family through her work at a local bank.

Life was forever changed for Norma after she met and married John “Jack” Madsen in 1958. Not long after, they were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Linda. Four more children followed soon after: Susan, who died shortly after her birth in December of 1959, Michael, Mark, and Martha. Norma and Jack raised their children in the country in South Haven. The country life allowed the children to have a variety of pets around, and a wonderful childhood.

Being a mother seemed to be a job that was tailor made for Norma. She supported her children in all of their interests including taking them to various practices through the years and also to participate in the local 4-H program. Norma instilled within her children a strong work ethic by the example she provided. She taught them how to perform many tasks from an early age. Norma provided her children with a strong foundation that was rooted in faith, which gave them a sense of right and wrong and high morals and values. Norma and Jack’s children were taught by their parents that they could do anything as long as they were willing to work hard.

When her marriage ended in divorce in 1978, Norma went back to school. She took classes at Kalamazoo Valley Community College and earned a degree as a medical assistant. This enabled her to get a job as the company nurse at Eaton.

In addition to caring for her children and working, Norma enjoyed a variety of other activities as well. She was a member of St. Michaels Lutheran Church in Portage. For years Norma sent cards to members of her church family for special occasions such as births and weddings, as well as to those who were experiencing a time of sorrow. Over the years, nearly every member of the congregation felt her love at one time or another. Norma was also an active member of the National Ski Patrol at Bittersweet for many years. She willingly gave of her time and talents volunteering for things such as the Special Olympics and the hospital auxiliary, too.

New and exciting changes were in store for Norma when she was introduced to a man with whom she would enjoy the sunset of her life. His name was Wally Moyer. They met on a blind date at a golf outing arranged by her children Mark and Martha. They were made for each other, true soul mates to be sure. They married on September 27, 1997, Norma couldn’t have been happier. She accepted his children and grandchildren with open arms and loved them as her own. Norma was devastated with the death of her beloved Wally in July of 2009. The days following his death were very hard on her as life was simply not the same without him.

With a warm laugh that was as contagious as it was distinctive, Norma Moyer was a lover of life in every way. She loved to laugh and joke and she loved to give to other in ways great or small. Norma cherished her family and was looking so forward to adding another branch to her family tree with the anticipated arrival of another great-grandson, Preston Porter, this November. Although life was not without hardship for Norma, she embraced both the good and the bad with her faith and her positive outlook. A woman who was always giving to others, her tender touch reached numerous people during both their celebrations and their sorrows. Norma was a woman who was as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside, a true gift to the world around her. She will be dearly missed and warmly remembered by all who were blessed to know her.

Norma Moyer died on Friday, August 20, 2010. Norma’s family includes her children, Linda (Timothy Luce) Madsen, Michael (Mary) Madsen, Mark Madsen, and Martha Nielsen, her step children: Debra Kequom, Dawn (Dan) Brady, Scott Moyer, 12 grandchildren: Steven (Jena) Porter, Courtney Nielsen, Kyle Nielsen, Heather Nielsen, Riley Rhodes, Holly Kequom, Matthew Kequom, Brooke Kequom, Chad (Kim) Brady, Laura (Kevin) Wilson, Erin (Ben) Herson, Ryan Brady; her brother Bud Kuisell, and sister Marilyn Kuisell, her 5 great-grandsons: Preston Porter, Parker Wilson, Jaxson Wilson, Cole Herson, Blaine Herson; 4 great-granddaughters: Hannah Kequom, Jadyn North Kequom, Ava DeGroot, Lainey Wilson; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Norma was preceded in death by her husband, Wally, in 2009, her sister Marilyn, and her daughter Susan. Learn more about Norma by visiting with her family and friends on Tuesday from 5-7 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, Vicksburg; 409 S. Main Street (649-1697). A Funeral will be held on Wednesday at 11 a.m. the same location. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com, where you can archive a memory or photo, sign her memory book online, or make a memorial donation to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.