Norma Hettinga

Norma P. Hettinga, 99, of 1906 Clarberth St., Schofield, died February 11, 2013 at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, LaCrosse, WI. She was born June 28, 1913 to John F. and Augusta Dittbrender in Ringle, Wi. She grew up in a family of five boys and two girls and married Theodore J. Hettinga of Ringle on October 7, 1939. He preceded her in death in August 1984.
In addition to receiving her high school diploma from Wausau East High School, Norma went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point and a Master of Elementary Education from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
She began rural school teaching in 1931 in Plover Valley School in the Town of Plover. Additionally, she taught in the Carpenter School in the Town of Ringle, the Forestville School in the Town of Easton, and the Pleasant View School in the Town of Maine. From 1948 until her retirement she was the Third Grade teacher at the Schofield Grade School in the D.C. Everest Common School District. After her retirement in 1976, she received a real estate license and enjoyed working as a part-time real estate agent.
Norma was involved in local, state and national professional and service organizations. She was an active member and officer in the Delta Kappa Gamma Honor Society, local chapter Alpha Omicron. She was a member of the Wisconsin Retired Educators Association (WREA), Marathon County Teachers Association (MCARTA), American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), Eastern Star Marathon Chapter No. 123 (OES), Veterans of Foreign Wars No. 388 Ladies Auxiliary (VFW), and the Marathon County Agricultural Society. Additionally, Norma volunteered with the American Red Cross under whose sponsorship she recorded hundreds of hours as a volunteer in the Wausau Hospital Emergency Room. She also volunteered at the Adult Day Care Center (ADCC), and the Commission on Aging.
Norma is survived by three daughters, Carol (Alan) Bassuener of La Crosse, WI, Barbara (Kenneth) Kraft of Atlanta, GA and Marjorie (Harold) Leinbaugh of Atlanta, GA. She was the proud grandmother of Carolyn (Bryan Hilson) Kraft, Jill (Lee) Fletcher, Jane (Michele Guerini) Kraft and A.J. (Kristy) Bassuener. She is also survived by six great grandchildren. In addition to her husband Theodore; Norma was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers; her sisters, a son-in-law and a grandson.
Norma was an individual of varied interests. Foremost was a love of reading books of historical interests, newspapers, and weekly news magazines. She enjoyed traveling in the United States and Europe. Norma enjoyed the cottage on Lynx Lake in Vilas County, playing cards and following school activities of former students, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
It was Norma's wish, that those who knew her best, would always appreciate her care and interest in their active lives; and her wish to instill in them her love of nature, reading, travel and especially her appreciation and love of education. She will be missed by many nieces, nephews and a host of wonderful friends and neighbors.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, February 15, 2013 at the Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce St., Wausau. There will be a brief visitation one hour prior to service. The Reverend Scott Skogen of La Crosse will officiate.
You may sign our family guest book at helke.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the charity of your choice in her name.