Norm Kutchin

They say it takes a special person to help those who are grieving. Norm Kutchin was such a man, and he dedicated his life to serving those in need during one of life's all too realistic, yet given times. Yet he was a devoted family man who balanced his work with the family he adored and loved. More than anything, Norm loved being surrounded by those he loved whenever possible. A proud and dedicated father, grandpa and friend to all who knew him, he will be dearly missed and remembered.

Norm's story began in the era known as the Roaring Twenties which created a new landscape within the culture of America. A time of great prosperity, the decade also brought forth some of America's greatest lows. In 1922, memorable events took place, including the completion of the Lincoln Memorial, and the first publication of the all-time favorite, Reader's Digest. The field of medicine was forever changed when insulin became available for diabetes, and the construction of the Yankee Stadium was a milestone in the sport of baseball. For F. William and Martha M. (Sack) Kutchin, there was no greater blessing than the August 11, 1922 birth of their son, Norman Howard.

Born and raised in the riverfront city of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Norm's father was a hard working tool and die maker while his mother, a homemaker, remained at home with the children. The second of three children in the Kutchin household, Norm joined his older sister, Joyce, and later welcomed younger sister, Elaine. They made their home on Eleventh Street, and later, Courtney, both on the city's northwest side.

During his youth, Norm spent long summer days taking in adventures with neighborhood friends, and experienced a typical childhood for the times. Often found riding his bike or playing in nearby parks, in the heat of the summer he and his friends headed to the neighborhood swimming pool. Norm attended Stocking Street Elementary School. An outgoing young man, he played the coronet during high school in the band, and later became drum major. He went on to graduate from Union High School with the Class of 1940, and soon after began working part-time at Winters and Crampton Manufacturing.

Having always been intrigued by the funeral profession, Norm decided to attend mortuary school. He studied at the Michigan College of Mortuary Science in Detroit where he completed his classes. After taking his state test, he served his apprenticeship at the Sullivan Funeral Home in Grand Rapids, earning his license as a funeral director and embalmer. He was later hired by Albert J. Alt & Son Funeral Directors, located on Turner Avenue, where he worked for Albert Alt and later, his son, A. John Alt. When John Alt retired, he sold the business to Norm and fellow workers, Robert Campbell, Basil Wall, and Gordon VanOcker. Norm remained a steadfast and dedicated funeral director there until retiring in 1981.

While launching his career, the U.S. entered World War II. Heeding the call, Norm did his part and enlisted in U.S. Army. He served his country from 1943 until his honorable discharge in 1945. He then returned to the funeral business, his true calling. It was just the beginning of wonderful things to come for him.

Norm met the love of his life, Eleanor “Tootie” Brown while on a blind date. They were quite smitten, and dated for a time before sharing blessed vows of marriage on July 5, 1946. For a time they lived with his parents due to the housing shortage after the war, but soon found a place of their own. Their first home together was an apartment on Jefferson Street, and they later bought a home on Derby Drive where they raised their family and spent most of their lives together.

Blessed beyond compare, their son, Craig came along in 1947 followed by Don in 1950. Daughter, Cindy completed their family in 1957. As parents, Norm and Eleanor were very involved in the lives of their children, especially school activities. As a family, they enjoyed memorable family vacations in northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. Norm eventually built a cabin in Bitely, Michigan where his family spent numerous summers, and many winters, taking in all the area had to offer. He loved puttering around the cabin, and also loved deer hunting there, too. After retiring, he and Tootie spent most of their time up at the cabin.

A real outdoorsman, Norm always loved hunting and fishing, especially deer and pheasant hunting. When it came to fishing, whether it be pan, river, lake, or stream fishing, he truly loved reeling in whatever he could, and came home with a bounty on more than one occasion! He even had the opportunity to go hunting out west for mule deer and antelope. Good times were also spent on several pheasant hunting trips with good friends, Don Dean and George Maitner, his longtime hunting and fishing buddies. As a member of the American Legion 40 et 8 Club, he'd often meet up with the boys to play cards and sip a few suds. To Norm, there was nothing quite like the sounds of old time band music which warmed his heart. Old western movies, and programs such as Gunsmoke and Bonanza were his favorites when it came to television.

Over the last ten years, Norm had various health issues. He suffered a heart attack, requiring bypass surgery and a pacemaker, and had many gall bladder problems. When it became evident Norm needed more care, he and his beloved Tootie moved into assisted living at Waldon Woods. Although the move was difficult for them, they made the most of being together, which made all the difference.

When Norm fell and broke his leg and arm a week ago, he underwent surgery to repair the damage. Not able to recover, he was placed in the care of Spectrum Health Hospice. His family lovingly devoted their time at his bedside, and were there by his side when he sadly died Tuesday evening, October 2, 2012 at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital.

At the age of 90, Norm Kutchin would be the first to tell you he lived a good life. He raised a loving family, and married a wonderful woman. He will be remembered as a loving and dedicated husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, and with a servant's heart, devoted to those in need. He loved the beauty and wonder of the outdoors, and relished in its splendor. Norm will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Norm was preceded in death by his son, Craig Kutchin. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Eleanor “Tootie” Kutchin; his children, Donald (Mary) Kutchin, Cindy Brooks; grandchildren, Curt (Joan) Kutchin, Kimberly (Tim) Watson, Kristen Kutchin-Minasola, Lisa (Ryan) Lewis, Elizabeth (Jason) Heeringa, Travis and Tyler Brooks, Chris Minasola; 17 great-grandchildren; his sister, Joyce Smedes; and many friends.

A service to celebrate Norm’s life will be held Saturday morning, October 6, 2012, 11:00 AM at Heritage life Story Funeral Home–Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. Relatives and friends may meet his family at the funeral home on Friday from 5–8 PM. Burial in Rosedale Memorial Park. To share a favorite memory and photo of Norm and to sign his online guest book, please visit his web page at www.lifestorynet.com.