Norma L. (Scudella) Witkowski
Norma L. (Scudella) Witkowski, 86, of N. Fond du Lac, WI passed away peacefully at her home on June 20, 2013 surrounded by the warmth and love of her family.
She continues the journey she started on June 20, 1927 in Eden, WI, a daughter of Batista and Maria (Maino) Scudella. On September 22, 1951, she married Carl J. Witkowski at St. Mary’s Church in Eden. She and Carl lived in Eden for many years and raised 10 children. In 1975 they moved to make their new home in N. Fond du Lac. Their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the joy of their lives.
From a very young age Norma was an important part of her parent’s business, the Eden Hotel, which is now Scud’s Buds. She graduated from St. Agnes School of Nursing and practiced as a nurse for many years at St. Agnes Hospital and Rolling Meadows Nursing Home. Norma and Carl started and owned a trucking company. All of their children worked at some point to help create a thriving family business.
She enjoyed many simple pleasures in life — good conversation, beautiful music, a quiet drive, good food and a glass of wine. Norma took delight in nature — the stars, moon and glorious sunsets. (Carl, a true romantic, had a star named for Norma as a way to celebrate his love for her and her love of the sky.) She enjoyed her flowers and feeding her birds and squirrels. Norma was an avid supporter of the arts in Fond du Lac and loved to travel to experience new people and places.
Norma was very proud of her Italian heritage — traveling to Italy to visit family as well as hosting her Italian relatives in both Eden and N. Fond du Lac. She enjoyed her trips to Festa Italiana — the people, music, food and wine. Norma truly embraced love of life, “la dolce vita”, as part of her Italian heritage. Many people have enjoyed “Witkowski’s Italian Cooking”, a skill she passed to her family.
Norma was an active member of St. Mary’s Parish in Eden and then Presentation Parish in N. Fond du Lac. Her “Church Ladies” were a very special group to her and she cherished their friendship and fellowship. She also formed a deep bond with her Book Club and her “Domino Queens” — groups of special women who would meet often for discussion and friendship.
Survivors include her children; David (Nancy), Daniel, Diane (Jerald) Polly, Debra, Dennis (Nancy), Donna, Dawn, Dale, Denise and Dean (Carla); 19 Grandchildren; 8 Great-Grandchildren; her brother Eugene “Geno” and sister Mary (Ken) Laufer; her brother-in-law Joseph (Dorothy) Witkowski; sisters-in-law Mary Heiling, Rita Witkowski, Donna (Harold) Smith and Joyce (Jean) Witkowski and Bernice, Gladys, Mary and Betty Witkowski as well as many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Carl; infant grandson Michael; her parents; sister Flora Maurer, brother Robert “Scud” Scudella; sisters-in-law Jane and Elena Scudella; brothers-in-law Robert Maurer, Harold Braatz; Carl’s parents, John and Helen and stepmother, Lucille; brothers-in-law, Theodore, Leo, Lawrence and Clarence Witkowski, Lyle Heiling; and sisters-in-law, Charlotte, Eileen and Arlene Witkowski.
Norma was surrounded by many, many friends throughout her life. During her brief illness, she was wonderfully cared for by the doctors and staff at Aurora Medical Center, Agnesian Healthcare, The Cancer Center of Wisconsin and Hospice Hope. Her daughter Diane lovingly gave special, tender care no one else could have provided.
More than anything else, Norma loved to have the blessings of her large and loving family around her. She always welcomed others into her home and family and was very generous to share the love she and Carl created. She was a beautiful example of the Christian and loving care she taught all of us to emulate and in her final days in this life she was surrounded by loved ones. She passed away in the loving embrace of her community and felt deeply blessed by all of you.
Visitation: Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 23 at Zacherl Funeral Home, 875 E. Division Street in Fond du Lac and at the church from 9:30 a.m. to the time of the service on Monday.
Services: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 24 at Presentation Church, 705 Michigan Avenue, N. Fond du Lac with the Reverend Dennis Van Beek officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Parish Cemetery in Eden, WI immediately following the service.
At Norma’s request the casket will be closed.
Zacherl Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family. www.zacherlfuneralhome.com