Norman "Norm" R. Hitzke

Norman “Norm” R. Hitzke, age 81 of Clintonville passed away peacefully Thursday evening, April 9, 2015 at the Pine Manor Health Care Center in Embarrass.

Norman was born on December 23, 1933 in the Township of Dupont, Waupaca County as the son of the late Leonard and Cora (Miller) Hitzke.  As a young man, Norm worked on the family farm in the Township of Larrabee, Waupaca County and also at an early age became a member of his family’s polka band called “Dairyland Derbies”.  Norm was united in marriage to Joyce Loken on August 20, 1955 at the Hitterdahl Lutheran Church in Iola.  This year the couple was looking forward to their 60th wedding anniversary.  Norm and Joyce moved to Clintonville soon after marriage where Norm worked at the Kuehl Storage Plant and later for FWD Seagrave for 35 years retiring in 1999.    Norm also cash cropped during this time as the couple moved back to the family farm in the Town of Larrabee in 1972.  He was a faithful member of Christus Lutheran Church in Clintonville for many years.  Norm drove bus for Waupaca County Industries and worked at the Iola Old Car Show, but his main passion was playing tuba and double bass for area polka bands.  He played for the Wayne Wedde Band, the Ray Reis Orchestra, and filled in for various other bands.  Above all, Norm enjoyed being around his family; especially when it came to enjoying the land with his grandkids. 

Survivors include:  His wife: Joyce.

Daughters:  Jodi (Duane) Boyer, Clintonville.

                   Marsha (John) Christoph, Iola.

Grandchildren:  Tyler & Zach Boyer, Clintonville & Alexa Christoph, Iola.

A Sister:  June Wege, Freedom.

A Brother-in-law:  Ken Loken, Clintonville.

Sisters-in-law:  Judy (Dennis) Biedermann, Iola, Mary Loken, Clintonville

                         & Mae Lou Loken, Texas.

Also numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Norman was preceded in death by his parents, sisters; Joyce Lozier & Dorothy Daley, a brother in infancy, brothers-in-law; Kenneth Wege, Gene Loken, & Joe Daley, and a sister-in-law Viola Loken.

Funeral services will be held Monday April 13, 2015 at 11 AM at Christus Lutheran Church in Clintonville with Rev. Benjamin Hollinsead officiating.  Interment will follow at Graceland Cemetery in Clintonville.

Friends may call at the Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory in Clintonville on Sunday, April 12, 2015 from 1 – 5 PM and at the church on Monday from 10 AM until the time of the service. www.eberhardtstevenson.com.

The Hitzke family would like to extend their sincerest thanks to the staff of Kindred Hearts, Pine Manor Health Care Center, and Theda Care Hospice for the wonderful care Norm received from all of them.  

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