Norman Pitsch

Norman G. Pitsch, (Stormin Norman), 98, of Appleton, passed away peacefully at Gardenview Assisted Living with his loving family by his side on Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020.

Son of Joseph and Lena (Nienhaus) Pitsch, Norman was born on Sept. 2, 1922 in Denmark, WI. He graduated from Green Bay East High School, Green Bay, WI in 1941.

WWII Veteran, Tech 4 Sergeant, Norman served in the US Army from 1942 to 1946. Norman was part of the 89th Division, Sea Horse Battalion, in Le Harve, France. Norman didn’t talk much about his service or want recognition, he felt others suffered more and were the real heroes. Norman you were a hero and we salute you.

Norman married the love of his life, high school sweetheart Corrine Banta on September 23, 1947. Norman and Corrine raised their four children in Appleton, WI. The couple celebrated 71+ years of loving marriage before Corrine passed in 2019.

A loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great grandfather, Norman’s priority was providing for his family. Hardworking, dedicated and talented, Norman worked for Harry H. Long Moving & Storage after returning from military service, he then was employed by Hennes Trucking Company as a heavy hauler for 15 years and a purchasing agent at Hennes Erecting Company for 15 years. Norman enjoyed building and repairing mechanical things, and fabricating new useful ideas with wood and metal. He was especially interested in cars, trucks, boats and the maintenance of them. Norman was a huge Packers fan, while growing up in Green Bay he would watch the Packers practice in a field near his home.

So many happy memories were made over the years at Norman and Corrine’s special home in Mountain, WI with family and dear friends. Black bears in the area were his favorite wildlife. Norman and Corrine enjoyed traveling on tours and road trips with a motorhome and van, logging many miles between the east and west coasts, Alaska, Canada and Mexico.

Norman loved dogs, he’d laugh at how his German Sheppard Duchess scared even the toughest of men, but he would have her under control with just one word.

Norman’s loveable sense of humor was contagious. His positive “you can’t control what happens, that’s just the way it is” attitude was inspiring, especially during these difficult months of the Coronavirus pandemic. Norman endured many hardships, his tenacity and strength pulled him through, but the loss of his dear wife and three of his four children broke his heart and his will.

Norman will be dearly missed by many, especially his son Michael (Judy) Pitsch of Hamburg, IA, daughter-in-law Gigi Wadley, Estes Park, CO, his beloved 12 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, 7 great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Norman is preceded in death by his loving wife Corrine, daughters Lynn Pautz, and Julie VanEffen, son Joseph Pitsch, son-in-law Terry (Jolly) VanEffen, grandchild Karen, great-grandchild Collin, parents Joseph and Lena, sisters Margaret, Rosella, and Irene, brother William, and in-laws Hector and Mayme Banta.

Special thank you to Makenzie G., Ann E., and the Ascension Hospice Team for their compassionate care, and to the caring staff of Gardenview Assisted Living.

A shared Memorial Service is being planned for summer of 2021 for Norman and his children, Joseph and Julie, at Valley Funeral Home, 2211 N. Richmond Street, Appleton, WI with interment at Mountain Cemetery, Mountain, WI.

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