Norma Ruth (Monthey) Bush

Norma Ruth (Monthey) Bush, 93 of Portage, WI passed away on March 16, 2018 at home surrounded by her family. Norma was born on May 29, 1924 on a farm in Marcellon Township, the daughter of the late George and Lura (Killoran) Monthey. She graduated from Portage High School with the Class of 1942, and married Russell J. Bush on September 25, 1943. Together with their large family they owned a dairy farm in Marcellon Township. In her later years, she worked as a caregiver for the handicapped and elderly. Norma was a lifelong member of St. Andrew Catholic Church and their St. Ann’s Sodality. She also belonged to the Pardeeville American Legion Auxiliary for 20 years.

Norma loved to feed and watch birds and other wildlife. She was a great fan of baseball and would cheer on the Brewers and the Cubs. Norma belonged to several card clubs and enjoyed playing euchre with friends. She was an excellent cook and could do it all, from baking and canning, to making a feast of wild game or a family Sunday dinner. She loved to write, and her stories provide a glimpse into the history of growing up through the Great Depression and World War II.

Norma is survived by her brother Harold Monthey, her sister Mary and brother-in-law Charles Bush; her eight children, Sister Lois Bush (family friend Sister Sharee Hurtgen), James (Mary Ann) Bush, John (Gail) Bush, Donald (Margie Lund) Bush, Daniel (June) Bush, Douglas Bush, Marcia (Bill) Barth and Julie (Ron Gabbei) Standiford; grandchildren Christopher (Amy) Bush, Jerry (Dawn) Bush, Jennifer (Shawn) Jerome, Kevin (Sharon) Bush, Amanda (Robert) Wagner, Molly (Shane) Lettman, Erica Bush, Patrick Bush, Megan Thurman, Nina Wagner and Mandy Standiford; great-grandchildren Catherine (Eric) Laeyendecker, Samantha (Chris) Edwards, Richard Bush, Tyler Bush, LCpl Russell (Hannah) Bush, Hannah Jerome, Roland Jerome, Ashley (Joshua Dodge) Bush, Rachael Bush, Theodore, Annakate, and Rockwell Wagner, Wyatt and Remy Lettman, Evan Katsma and Daelynn Baker; great-great-grandchildren Owen and Harper Laeyendecker, Riley Edwards and Mackenzie Bush; and many special nieces, nephews and godchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Russell, her brothers, Donald, Owen, William, Bernard and Maurice and great-granddaughter Jessica Marie.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday March 22, 2018 at St. Andrew Catholic Church, N117 State Rd. 22, Buffalo Township, Pardeeville, WI, with Father David Greenfield presiding.  Burial will follow in St. Andrew’s Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Grasse Funeral Home, 119 Industrial Drive, Pardeeville, WI on Wednesday March 21, 2018 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Thursday. 

Norma’s family would like to thank the Visiting Angels, especially Peri and Kathy, for their loving care of our mother.

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