NORMA JEAN RABIDEAU
84, of Gagetown passed away peacefully Monday, July 27, 2020 in her home. She was born September 6, 1935 in Sebewaing to Roland and Viola (Sting) Kohl.
Norma was baptized in St. Peter Lutheran Church of Bach. She graduated from Sebewaing High School with the Class of 1953. After high school, she moved to Bay City and worked at Jacques Restaurant as a waitress. In September of 1957, Norma married and began the journey that would become her most treasured job, that as a mother. In the early years of raising her family she managed and owned The Ashmore Store. In 1963, they moved their family to the 80 acre farm in Gagetown where she would live for the remainder of her years.
Norma loved to “live off the land” and produced much of the family food. Her work ethic was beyond compare. Norma raised animals, sewed many of her children’s clothes and made sure her children were involved in a variety of extracurricular activities. She was her children’s biggest fan and never missed an athletic event, dance or piano recital. In 1976, Norma began a part time position with the respiratory therapy department in Hills and Dales General Hospital. Over the course of the next 17 years, she was promoted to head of the department and earned her Registered Respiratory Therapist Degree.
After her retirement in 1993, she continued to do all of the things that she enjoyed and more. Always an avid bowler, she continued on two leagues, as well as, two golf leagues for many years. She traveled with her team to state tournaments, Las Vegas and numerous casino trips. All who knew Norma were aware of her passion for gardening. Much of the summer she could be found working in her significantly large garden. She was also very talented with crocheting and created countless blankets for her family and many others, her hands were rarely still. A devoted baseball fan, she enjoyed watching the Tigers and the Padres. Norma was always eager to travel, anywhere! If a friend or family member wanted to plan a trip, she was always ready to go.
Norma loved to serve others. She acted as the Elmwood County Treasurer for four years and was an active member and treasurer of St. Agatha’s Women’s Society, sharing her time and talents for over 20 years. Norma lived her life to the fullest, however, nothing she did could compare to the passion she had for her family. Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were by far her greatest joy and her remarkable legacy will live on forever through her family.
Norma is survived by her children: Ricky Rabideau, Randy Rabideau, Deborah Leasher, Tammi (Brian) Roberts, Shelly (Scott) Miller; fourteen grandchildren: Courtney Rabideau, Carly (Andrew) Yocius, Casey Rabideau, Grant Rabideau, Ethan (Kassandra) Leasher, Devon Leasher, Aaron Leasher, Samantha (Matt) Jezierski, Taylor Roberts, Madison Roberts, Brandon (Renee) Miller, Cole Miller, Dylan Miller, Dustin Miller; six great grandchildren: River Miller, Isabel Miller, Haley Jezierski, Berrek Wroubel, Ayla Miller and baby Jezierski due in November; sister, Joyce (Hugh) Hagerman; brother, Larry (Sue) Kohl; brother-in-law, Harlan Rabideau; sister-in-law, Nancy Rabideau and special friend, Howard Hergenreder. She is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Beatrice (Larry) Hool; in-laws, Gerald (Evelyn) Rabideau, Jean (Clarence) Marecki, Phyllis Rabideau, and James Rabideau.
A special thank you to Norma’s sister, Joyce Hagerman for her loving care during the past month, as well as, the Compassus Hospice nurses whose care was greatly appreciated.
Visitation will take place Friday, July 31, 2020 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City. Graveside service will be held Saturday, August 1, 2020 at 10 a.m. in St. Agatha Cemetery, Gagetown with Fr. Christian Tabares officiating. Memorials may be made to St. Agatha Cemetery Fund (OLC/perpetual) or the St. Agatha Food Pantry. Friends may share memories, prayers and photos with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com.
In accordance with the current state mandate regarding COVID-19, social distancing and limitations on numbers gathered will be observed. Attendees are also kindly reminded to wear a mask or other facial covering while inside the funeral home and at graveside.
Arrangements by Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, Michigan
989-872-2195
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Norma Jean Rabideau (Kohl), please visit our flower store.
84, of Gagetown passed away peacefully Monday, July 27, 2020 in her home. She was born September 6, 1935 in Sebewaing to Roland and Viola (Sting) Kohl.
Norma was baptized in St. Peter Lutheran Church of Bach. She graduated from Sebewaing High School with the Class of 1953. After high school, she moved to Bay City and worked at Jacques Restaurant as a waitress. In September of 1957, Norma married and began the journey that would become her most treasured job, that as a mother. In the early years of raising her family she managed and owned The Ashmore Store. In 1963, they moved their family to the 80 acre farm in Gagetown where she would live for the remainder of her years.
Norma loved to “live off the land” and produced much of the family food. Her work ethic was beyond compare. Norma raised animals, sewed many of her children’s clothes and made sure her children were involved in a variety of extracurricular activities. She was her children’s biggest fan and never missed an athletic event, dance or piano recital. In 1976, Norma began a part time position with the respiratory therapy department in Hills and Dales General Hospital. Over the course of the next 17 years, she was promoted to head of the department and earned her Registered Respiratory Therapist Degree.
After her retirement in 1993, she continued to do all of the things that she enjoyed and more. Always an avid bowler, she continued on two leagues, as well as, two golf leagues for many years. She traveled with her team to state tournaments, Las Vegas and numerous casino trips. All who knew Norma were aware of her passion for gardening. Much of the summer she could be found working in her significantly large garden. She was also very talented with crocheting and created countless blankets for her family and many others, her hands were rarely still. A devoted baseball fan, she enjoyed watching the Tigers and the Padres. Norma was always eager to travel, anywhere! If a friend or family member wanted to plan a trip, she was always ready to go.
Norma loved to serve others. She acted as the Elmwood County Treasurer for four years and was an active member and treasurer of St. Agatha’s Women’s Society, sharing her time and talents for over 20 years. Norma lived her life to the fullest, however, nothing she did could compare to the passion she had for her family. Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were by far her greatest joy and her remarkable legacy will live on forever through her family.
Norma is survived by her children: Ricky Rabideau, Randy Rabideau, Deborah Leasher, Tammi (Brian) Roberts, Shelly (Scott) Miller; fourteen grandchildren: Courtney Rabideau, Carly (Andrew) Yocius, Casey Rabideau, Grant Rabideau, Ethan (Kassandra) Leasher, Devon Leasher, Aaron Leasher, Samantha (Matt) Jezierski, Taylor Roberts, Madison Roberts, Brandon (Renee) Miller, Cole Miller, Dylan Miller, Dustin Miller; six great grandchildren: River Miller, Isabel Miller, Haley Jezierski, Berrek Wroubel, Ayla Miller and baby Jezierski due in November; sister, Joyce (Hugh) Hagerman; brother, Larry (Sue) Kohl; brother-in-law, Harlan Rabideau; sister-in-law, Nancy Rabideau and special friend, Howard Hergenreder. She is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Beatrice (Larry) Hool; in-laws, Gerald (Evelyn) Rabideau, Jean (Clarence) Marecki, Phyllis Rabideau, and James Rabideau.
A special thank you to Norma’s sister, Joyce Hagerman for her loving care during the past month, as well as, the Compassus Hospice nurses whose care was greatly appreciated.
Visitation will take place Friday, July 31, 2020 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City. Graveside service will be held Saturday, August 1, 2020 at 10 a.m. in St. Agatha Cemetery, Gagetown with Fr. Christian Tabares officiating. Memorials may be made to St. Agatha Cemetery Fund (OLC/perpetual) or the St. Agatha Food Pantry. Friends may share memories, prayers and photos with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com.
In accordance with the current state mandate regarding COVID-19, social distancing and limitations on numbers gathered will be observed. Attendees are also kindly reminded to wear a mask or other facial covering while inside the funeral home and at graveside.
Arrangements by Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, Michigan
989-872-2195
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