Norma A. Ziolkowski

Service Details

Services for Norma will be held at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 2417 Drexel Avenue, Racine on Monday, April 22, 2024 at 11:00AM with Pastor Matt James as Officiant. Visitation will be at church on Monday from 10:00AM until the time of service. Entombment will take place at Graceland Cemetery.

Memorial Suggestions

Memorials in Norma’s name may be directed to Homeless Assistance Leadership Organization, Inc. (HALO) located at 2000 DeKoven Avenue, Racine, WI, or Lutheran Church of the Redeemer.

Norma Ziolkowski died peacefully on April 12, 2024 at Brookdale Assisted Living in Dublin, Ohio. A special thanks to Mikeala, Jenny, Michele, Julie and James who showed her great kindness at Brookdale.

Norma was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1931 and had two brothers–Richard and Fred, both deceased. They had a difficult childhood and eventually ended up in care of the state. Her last foster care placement was in the home of Louie and Elsie Christiansen and their three children, Robert, Lois, and Lynne (Schroeder) on a farm in Union Grove.  She remained there until she graduated from Union Grove High School in 1949.

After graduation she moved to Racine and worked at Twin Disc until she married Ronald Ziolkowski in 1955.  They had three children– Rod, Lynne, Jim.  She lived in her home on Gillen Street for sixty-six years. Following Ron’s passing in 1997, she shared the residence with her daughter Lynne. As time progressed, Lynne gradually assumed more household duties, enabling Norma to continue living in her home for as long as she could.

Norma was an active member of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer.  She served on the church council, on many committees, and headed the church’s senior center for many years.  The church remained important to her her whole life.  Even when she could no longer attend services the church did not forget her, she was visited regularly, and after she moved to Ohio she still watched every service on Youtube and received calls and cards until the end.

Norma found joy in various aspects of her life.  Her artistic flair and creativity shone through in her beautiful backyard flower garden and in the displays, she crafted at her job in the houseware department at Younkers department store in the Racine Mall. She particularly enjoyed decorating the department Christmas trees and assisting with bridal registries.  Above all, she valued her relationships with co-workers and customers.  Her involvement with the Red Hat Society was another source of joy, where she often sported outfits from her extensive Red Hat collection during their gatherings. Her knack for aesthetics made her a go-to person for decorating advice.  Norma always loved a good meal and a long phone call.

Norma’s life was enriched by the close friendships she maintained throughout her adult life.  These friends became family and together they shared life’s milestones both the highs and the lows.  Her best memories were from experiences shared with friends.

She is survived by her three children and their spouses–James and Susan, Lynne, and Rod and Nancy Ziolkowski, her grandchildren–Aaron, Mary, Sam, Ben, her niece and nephews–Gretchen, John Jr., and Charles Bossart, and by Robert Christiansen and Lynne Schroeder.