Norma J. Kent

Norma Jean Kent, 92, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 18, 2022 under Interim Hospice care at Wausau Manor.

She was born on April 21, 1930 to Edward and Selma (Roell) Graefe, in Iron Mountain, Mich, where Norma spent her early childhood years before attending college.

In 1954, Norma graduated from Augustana University in Rock Island, Ill. with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She would go on to have an outstanding 37-year career as a nurse. During her career, she held the title of Orthopedic Unit Nursing Director at Wausau Hospital (Aspirus). Over the course of her career, she held nursing licenses in both Illinois and Wisconsin. When she retired, Norma prided herself on keeping in touch with her nursing friends and coworkers.

She married Edward “Ed” Kent on October 3, 1953. The two were each other’s lifelong companions who enjoyed traveling. Together they had three children: Dave, Rick and Jon. They would continue to travel with many trips to Montana, throughout the mid-west and to the east coast. Their annual trip to Williamsport, Penn., to attend the Little League World Series was always one of her favorites in addition to their many casino trips. Their best trip was in 2003, where they took their entire family to Disneyland, to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.

Norma was an avid gardener who enjoyed tending to her backyard flower garden on the hill and a tremendous cook who served up the best pasty pies. Norma was also a devoted sports fan. She supported her children and then her grandchildren at all events, from little league through high school athletics. In her spare time, she would then enjoy cheering on the Chicago Cubs and Green Bay Packers.

Survivors include her children, David (Pat), Rick (Lisa) and Jon; grandchildren Kelcee, Ryder (Becky), Ryan, Ricky (Tenley); great-grandchildren, Trey, Grant and Reid.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Edward, who passed away on November 23, 2015.

The family would like to thank Interim Hospice Care & Wausau Manor for their kind, compassionate care and the staff at Copperleaf Assisted Living (Schofield) for the dedicated care provided to our mother and grandmother over the past 2-1/2 years.

Memorial services will be at noon on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at Memorial Chapel Mausoleum, Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau.  Visitation will be Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service.

In lieu of flowers, any memorial donations will be added to the Norma J. Kent Nursing Scholarship Endowment that was established at NTC in 2019.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com