Kathleen Norrbom

Kathleen “Kay” Norrbom, 83, of Eland, died peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on Thursday, June 16, 2022.

Kay was born on May 10, 1939, in Birnamwood, the daughter of Werner and Laura (Buss) Wolfinger. Kay graduated high school as the salutatorian. On Feb. 6, 1960, Kay was united in marriage to David Norrbom at the former St. William Catholic Church in Eland.

Kay worked at the Eland Post Office and was a former treasurer for St. William Catholic Church. She was a faithful Catholic and helped people in need. For many years, she hosted a Thanksgiving dinner with her sister, Alice, for people without a place to go.

Kay loved to travel and plan family vacations. She was known as “the General,” when she led large groups on vacation. She loved to travel together with friends and family on cruises, to Disney World, and on Amtrak. Kay was a sports fan, which started as a young girl following Jackie Robinson and the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Kay loved to play cards with her family and always thought of others by sending birthday cards to everyone she could, including all of her nieces and nephews.

Kay was a strong Democrat and was a poll worker for over 50 years. She always rooted for the underdog and was very generous. She loved to surprise people with a big tip and helped people in need without worrying about being repaid. Many years, she would write out checks to over 100 charities.

Although she was never elected to office, many thought she was the “de facto mayor of Eland” for decades, as anyone who attended an Eland Days can attest.

Kay was a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother and will be missed.

Kay is survived by her husband, David; four children, Carrie (Don) Zoromski, of Appleton, Claudia (Tim) Ploeger, of Eland, Corrie Norrbom, of Rothschild, and Clay (Jennifer Eikren) Norrbom, of Verona; 11 grandchildren, Judson, Zoey (Jim), Addisen, Tillie (Brian), Jed, Abraham, Sophie, Gabe, Werner, Lola, and Edith; three great-grandchildren, Henry, Cora and Charlotte; two sisters, Dorothy Yaeger, of Wittenberg, and Joyce Sharon, of Antigo; sisters- and brothers-in-law, Lyle (Leone) Norrbom, John (Peggy) Breske, John Laude and June Norrbom; and many godchildren, nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Kay was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Alice Steebs; brother-s and sisters-in-law, Shorty Steebs, John Yaeger, Bob Sharon, Arla Breske, Esther Laude, and Carl Norrbom.

The family wishes to thank all the caregivers who helped Kay, including those from Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services and especially her special friend Mari Campos.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 20, 2022, at St. Philomena Catholic Church in Birnamwood. The Very Rev. John W. Girotti and the Rev. Vicente Llagas will concelebrate. Visitation will be on Sunday, from 3-6:30 p.m., with a 6:30 p.m. parish wake service led by the Rev. Charles Hoffmann at Schmidt and Schulta Funeral Home in Wittenberg. Visitation will continue on Monday, at the church, from 9 a.m. until the time of Mass.

Memories and messages may be shared at schmidtschulta.com.