Norman Bosse

Norman L. Bosse loved to be with people and could start a conversation with anyone. His easy-going nature and wonderful sense of humor won him many friends as well as the admiration of his nieces and nephews. His loved ones were precious to him and he appreciated all they did for him, including the many times they helped him find items he couldn't locate. He made people feel at ease by the way he expressed interest in them and entertained them with his great stories.

Norm entered the world with many eyes, ears, and hands looking out for him. The youngest of Charles and Jessie (Tarbel) Bosse's nine children, he was born on September 28, 1920 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He lived through some of the most traumatic worldwide events of the century, including the Great Depression and two world wars. He also experienced challenging situations in his personal life. His parents divorced when he was a young boy. His mother began seeing an Amish man, and Norm was taken to live in the Amish community for about a year. The man was disciplined for seeing a woman from outside of the community, and he had to sleep in a barn. Recognition of the devastating effects that alcohol had on his own family led Norm to determine that he would not drink or smoke. Norm attended Sibley School and Union High School.

As a young man, Norm found employment at a factory on Division Avenue in Grand Rapids. One fine fall day a pretty lady walked by and on impulse Norm whistled at her. She stopped and they chatted a bit. He found out that her name was Marjorie. They started dating and were married about a year later on September 4, 1941, in Grand Rapids. They raised two daughters, Gerri and Barb and a son, Rick whom they adored. Norm was able to be present for the birth of his son, Rick, and was pleased that there would be a boy to carry on the family name. Norm and Marjorie spent more than fifty years together until her passing in 1993.

Norm entered the Army Air Corps in 1944 as a volunteer and served as a Sergeant on the flight line. He inspected aircraft to make sure they were airworthy. He was stationed in India and was discharged in 1946.

Norm loved music and could play the guitar, piano, and organ, all by ear. He loved the music of the Big Band era as well as county music. Square dancing was one of his favorite hobbies. He loved knowing how things worked and enjoyed gadgetry and designing things. He liked big cars like the Chrysler New Yorker and Chevy Caprice. Norm worked as an inspector for Lear Siegler and also owned his own realty company called Norm Bosse Realty.

Many warm family memories revolved around Norm's love for water sports and camping. Trips to Young State Park and their cottage at Pickerel Lake near Newaygo provided countless hours of family fun and laughter. A particularly memorable excursion was their inland waterway trip through Indian River and Burt and Mullet Lake. Family vacations were a good opportunity for Norm to practice his photography as well. He loved taking others water skiing and was a very patient teacher, known for being able to help anyone get up on skis successfully. He was especially proud of his boat, a 1967 Apex fiberglass board with a 100 hp Evinrude which he still owned at the time of his death. He was pleased at being able to best his neighbor when he got seven people up on skis and his neighbor could only manage four with his Mercury. Norm enjoyed water skiing himself, and was still skiing at the age of seventy.

Eventually Norm began spending some time every year in Florida. He appreciated planning, consistency, and routine in all aspects of his life, and always took the long trip to Ft. Myers in March. Home was his haven, however, and he loved to spend time there most of all. He treasured his family and especially enjoyed relaxing on the back porch with a bowl of vanilla ice cream or just enjoying the serenity of the day. His grandchildren were priceless to him and he loved spending time with them at the cottage or cheering them on at their baseball games.

For the past eight years Norm's constant companion was Pat Walcott, whom he met dancing. Her care and compassion has greatly added to his life in these past years and they have spent many wonderful hours with his nephew Les and his wife, Irene Bosse in Michigan and Florida.

Norm is survived by his children, Gerri (Jody Follett) Roberts of Tennessee, Barb and Bill Grimm of Branch, and Rick and Pat Bosse of Belmont; twelve grandchildren; several great and great-great grandchildren; his fiancé, Patsy Walcott; and many nieces and nephews.

Norm passed away at his home on Thursday, May 27, 2004, He was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie. Norman was eighty-three.

Friends will be received on Tuesday, June 1, from 2 - 4 PM and from 7 - 9 PM at the Van't Hof Chapel, 851 Leonard NW. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 2, at 11:00 AM at St. Stephens Evangelical Lutheran Church, 6070 Kutshill Drive NE, Rockford. Interment will be in Plainfield Township Cemetery. To read Norman's complete life story, share a memory, send flowers, or make a memorial contribution to either Hospice of Michigan or the American Cancer Society, please visit his personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com.

Although he will be missed, Norm's love for life and for people leaves his family with fond memories and an example they can follow and share with future generations.