Norma Kay Ryan passed away peacefully at home with her husband and children by her side on June 13, 2024. Norma was born on November 23, 1954 in the Amery, Wisconsin Hospital, Norma was the youngest of 4 children (3 girls and a boy) of Dean and Lucille (Holmgren) Voltz.

She was given the nickname of “Nonie” (with a short “O”) at an early age. She grew up on her family’s dairy farm in the South Milltown area. In addition to helping with chores on one of Polk County’s premier dairy farms—she spent many joyful hours tending to and enjoying the family’s horses. Including the Clydesdale workhorse and sleigh team of “Barney” and “Cedric”, riding horses “Ruby” and “Rocky”, and their Welsh cart horse named “Comrade”—with which she spent many enjoyable days giving cart rides to younger cousins.

Norma was a hard-working, crafty, active and artistic girl, she enthusiastically embraced her friends and family, 4-H projects and drama, and school. She treasured her years at Unity High School, where she was active as a cheerleader, President of the Pep Club and in Mr. Costellano’s art classes. She always looked back upon those years fondly and maintained close ties with many of her classmates for her entire life. She also enjoyed regularly going to Friday night teen dances at the Frederic Rec with her friends Adele, Robyn and Mary. In fact, it was at one of those dances that Nonie met Tim, her future husband of 50 years.

After graduating from high school, she went off to college at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. While there, she gained a wide circle of new friends who called her "Nonie" (with a long "O"). A diligent student, she enthusiastically pursued a degree in both Elementary and Special Education. About midway through her time there, she and Tim (who was also a UW-EC student) were married between semesters on December 29, 1973 in an ecumenical ceremony at Milltown Lutheran Church.

After graduating from college, Nonie and Tim went on an adventure together to the Iron Range of Northern Minnesota where she took on a job initiating an early childhood program at the Eveleth special education school. Nonie again enthusiastically embraced her time on “The Range” and it was there that her first child (Jenny Rose) was born on October 24th, 1977.

In March of 1979, Tim was offered a job opportunity back home and they took the money they had saved and bought a home in Trade Lake Township where they lived the rest of her years. She took an eight-year hiatus from teaching to work at home raising a family which now included Cullen (born 1980) and Tadd (born 1983).

Once the kids were all old enough for school, Norma returned to teaching, working as a first and third grade teacher at Nelson and Grantsburg Elementary. Known for her expressive reading style and creative room décor, she was most focused on making learning fun and gave special attention and respect to the kids that needed the most help. When she would get her class list for the new school year, she would often get Tim to take her on a drive around the district to see where her new students lived.

After her retirement from teaching, Nonie spent her time enjoying gardening, house plants, arts and craft projects, attending concerts and plays at Orchestra Hall and the Guthrie, Twin games with Tim, and her grandchildren Stuart and MaryAlice of Eau Claire and Marten of Ypsilanti, Michigan.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her older sister; Kathy, and her older brother; Rich. She is survived by her loving husband, Tim; daughter, Jenny Rose and son-in-law, Ben; son, Cullen and daughter-in-law, Amanda; son, Tadd; her sister, Mary of Waupaca, Wisconsin.

An ecumenical memorial service and celebration of Norma’s life will take place on Saturday, July 20, 2024 (visitation from 10-11 AM) at Joy Lutheran Church in Centuria, Wisconsin.

In the words of daughter, Jenny Rose: “Mom loved babies, children, dogs, horses, hummingbirds, and seeing loved ones reach their dreams and aspirations. She didn’t mince words, and you could always count on her for a good comeback. Though we are going to miss her terribly, she would not want us moping around.”

Arrangements were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home.

Last Update: Jun 26, 2024 4:21 pm CDT