Norma Viola Merhalski, 95, lifelong resident of Florence, Wis., passed into Eternal Life on Saturday, April 12, 2008, at Golden Living Center, Florence. She was born November 5, 1912, in Florence, daughter of the late Harry and Ida (Forseth) Cretors. Norma was a 1930 graduate of Florence High School where she won many perfect attendance honors. Throughout high school, she was active in chorus and drama. Norma married Frank Merhalski on April 24, 1934, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Florence. Together they raised four children. Frank preceded her in death in 1992. In her earlier years, she was employed as a factory worker in Florence. Later, Norma assisted Helen LaFave in catering numerous weddings and social functions. Norma was a housekeeper and a cook at St. Mary Catholic Church. In her spare time, she wallpapered for many of her friends. Norma was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church and was a member of the Altar Society. She loved gardening, picking berries, canning, and baking – especially pork pies and pasties. For many years, Norma had a Monday morning routine in Florence; as an act of kindness, she would hand out packages of Little Debbie snack cakes to some of the area businesses so the employees would have dessert during their coffee breaks. In 1980, she was honored in the Florence Centennial parade for being a good citizen. Norma enjoyed going for rides, dining out, stopping for ice cream, and playing cards, especially Solitaire, Royal Rummy, Cribbage, and Thirty-one. She would often meet with her friends at Barb's Café to drink coffee, have some toast, and socialize. Each day she looked forward to reading The Daily News and each Wednesday, The Florence Mining News. Norma enjoyed walking, and at the age of ninety, continued to walk one to two miles around Florence every day. Many people in town came to recognize her by her beautiful white hair. At age ninety-two, Norma became a resident of Golden Living Center, Florence, and remained agile by spending much of her time walking in the corridors. Survivors include her three children, Robert (Gloria) Merhalski, Florence, Carol Olin, Ironton/Crosby, Minn., John Merhalski, Florence; eight grandchildren, JoAnn (Dennis) Schneider, Algoma, Wis., Robert (Randi) Kusmitch, Aurora, Wis., Joanie (John) Richtig, Iron Mountain, Mich., Darren (Natalie) Merhalski, Green Bay, Wis., Lynn (Marc) Beauregard, Gregory, Mich., Lori (Brad) Balza, South St. Paul, Minn., Tanya Olin, Annaville, Minn., Julie Ann (Daniel) Eberhardt, Brainard, Minn.; 19 great-grandchildren; and seven great, great-grandchildren. Besides her parents and husband, Frank Merhalski, Norma was preceded in death by her daughter, Laraine Kusmitch, and her son-in-law, Butch Olin. Visitation will be Wednesday, April 16, 2008, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM, at Jacobs-Lundholm Funeral Home, Florence. Prayers will be offered Wednesday, 10:30 AM at the funeral home. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, 11:00 AM at St. Mary Catholic Church, Florence. Fr. Raymond Valerio will officiate. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Commonwealth, Wis., in the spring. Pallbearers will be Robert Kusmitch, Lonney Goman, Darren Merhalski, Kyle Kirby, Butch Kusmitch, and Brett Schneider. Friends may leave condolences and tributes to Norma's family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com The Jacobs-Lundholm Funeral Home, Florence, is serving the family.