Norma L. Vogel

Norma Vogel was a woman of grace and beauty whose generous demeanor made life sweet for her family and better for her community.

Norma was born at a time when families were attempting to recover from the Great Depression. Despite the scarcity of money, people did what they could to make life happy. Movies and the big bands of the era were popular entertainment outside of home while parlor games and listening to the radio gathered families together in their homes to listen to baseball and President Roosevelt's fireside chats. In 1932 there was particular joy in the home of Edward and Mary (Jendrzejczak) Sauer of Grand Rapids, Michigan when Norma was born on January 9th. The third of their nine children, Norma grew up on the northwest side of the city. Her father worked in the automotive industry as a Manager for Hayes Manufacturing while her mother stayed at home. Norma and her siblings grew up secure in the values of faith, family, education and a sense of community.

A bright young woman, Norma attended Mt. Mercy Academy and was able to skip ahead 2 grades allowing her to graduate at the age of 16.

Just prior to graduating, Norma met Henry "Hank" I. Smith. She was 18 when they married. They began their family after a few years of marriage and were delighted in the births of each of their four children: Steve, born in 1953, Barbara in 1954, Todd in 1955 and Brian in 1957. A window into Norma's personality and her joy of motherhood was evident on the day Brian was born. Norma had gone to the doctor for a check up with blond hair and then visited the hairdresser to have her hair dyed red. When Brian was born with reddish hair, the nurses all exclaimed, "Well, there's no denying he's your son!" Only Norma and the doctor were for the wiser. For years following Todd's birth, Norma routinely made the statement, "He was the longest labor, but the easiest delivery." The family enjoyed many laughs over the years about these memories. Norma and Hank's marriage ended in divorce in 1962, but the family will always have memories of a mother who devoted herself to raising "a bunch of good kids."

One day, when Brian was ill, it was suggested to Norma by Char that she take him to a local physician, Doc Vogel, by whom she was employed. She and Doc began a relationship that eventually ended in marriage for the two in 1964, as well as a place of employment for Norma. The family then moved to 231 Greenridge Drive, also known as Pine Lodge, on the northwest side of Grand Rapids. This was considered the family home and it was there that Norma and Doc welcomed two wonderful children, Michelle, born in 1965 and Anton III in 1967. Pine Lodge had 2.5 acres of land on which they kept animals-horses, ducks, geese, chickens, goats, cats, and, yes, dogs. Big dogs; like Thunder, Duke and Dobey; little dogs like Peanut and Muffin and also a cat named Buddy.

Family was of the greatest importance to Norma. Throughout her life, she remained close to her siblings, and they regularly came to her home for the holidays. This was a given for Norma since she enjoyed throwing parties and having family around for Sunday dinners. Christmas was also a favorite time for Grandma Norma. She truly enjoyed going shopping with others in mind and buying unique gifts for them. With her family gathered round, she was most happy because she could give to them and just enjoy them. She was a wonderful cook, famous for her cabbage rolls and pea soup. Norma remained lifelong friends with her cousins, Camille and Ruthie and loved to talk on the phone with her family and friends everyday. She never forgot a birthday, anniversary, or special event in their lives. Always giving of herself , thinking of others and generous to those in need, her children remember when a friend's family had been put out of their home and Norma moved them right into her own home with open arms.

Norma also lived an active social life. She frequently had friends over for dinner or for Poker nights. They often played Yahtzee and Cribbage, and even invented a new card game they called "Acey Ducey." She loved music, especially her favorite performers, Neil Diamond, Tom Jones, and the late Elvis Presley. At other times, Norma liked the quiet of doing a crossword puzzle. She took great pride in her hair, it was her crowning glory. A former one-time hair model, Norma not only wore her beauty outwardly, but inwardly as well.

Norma was sociable with her circle of friends, but was not comfortable in large public settings. Just the same, she became very active in the social issues of her community. Passionate about promoting clean air, Norma even spent her own money to get new legislation passed to protected the environment. She formed a Neighborhood Environmental Group to be the watchdog of a local asphalt company which eventually was made to comply with local environmental laws.

Norma Vogel will be remembered as a woman with a compassionate and gracious heart; a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Norma Louise Vogel, age 73, passed away on November 1, 2005. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward & Mary Sauer; brother, Edward; and sisters, Suzanne, Sybil, Loretta, Corrine Gallagher, and Carol Fox. Norma is survived by her children, Steven (Carol) Smith, Barbara (Rudy) Smith, Todd (Carol) Smith, Brian (Pamela) Smith, Michelle Vogel, and Anton (Jeanine) Vogel III; 15 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; and brothers, Fred and Larry (Evie) Sauer. Friends and relatives may meet the family Thursday from 2-4 PM and 7-9 PM, with a Rosary at 7 PM., at the Heritage Lifestory Funeral Home - Alt and Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr NW. The funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Friday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Interment in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. For more information about Norma, please visit www.lifestorynet.com.