Norma Jean Witzel, age 77, of Nevada, formerly of Deer Lodge, Montana, passed away on July 14, 2022. Norma was born in Townsend, MT, on August 28, 1944, to Carl Mienke and Hazel Vincent Weber.
Norma was raised in Deer Lodge, MT, where she attended grade school as well as high school. She graduated in 1962 and briefly attended nursing school at MSU. As a teenager she worked as a candy striper at the old hospital. Norma also worked at the Anaconda Lumber Company and later UBC as a Secretary and Bookkeeper. She enjoyed traveling and was excited to have been able take a trip with her dad, Carl, and sisters, Dorothy and Shirley, to tour Europe.
She Married Alfred Trask in 1965. They had one son, Jeffrey, in 1969. They later divorced and in 1976 she married her lifelong partner of 45 years, Dale Witzel. Norma and Dale worked alongside each other for years running Witzel’s Trailer Court and Home Rentals. She also worked at Colonial Manor in Deer Lodge as an Activities Director and loved being involved with and caring for the old folks.
In 1992, Norma and Dale moved to Jackpot, NV, where they owned and operated Bluesky Properties and RV park for 20 years. She loved assisting and visiting with all the travelers who stayed at their park and made many friends there. She and Dale retired to Las Vegas in 2010. In recent years, she lived in an assisted living facility, Legacy House, where she was chosen to be the Ambassador for the community, continuing her passion to help people.
Norma was crazy lucky at slot machines and always had a hunch for which ones were going to pay out. She enjoyed bingo, arts and crafts, seeing shows, and live music. The list of people who Norma cared for and helped is too long to list as she had one of the biggest hearts a person could have.
Norma is survived by husband, Dale Witzel; sisters, Dorothy Kinsfater, and Shirley McLaughlin; brother and spouse, Ed and Kathy Groves; son and daughter-in-law, Jeffrey and Teri Lynn Trask; stepdaughters and spouses, Linda and Jimmy McMahon, and Rosie and Brad Grothwohl; stepsons and spouses, Ronnie and Michelle Witzel, and Randy and Sherri Witzel; 12 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Norma is preceded in death by her father, Carl Mienke; mother and beloved stepfather, Joe and Hazel Weber; and younger brother, Bill Weber.
A funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 11, 2022, at the First Baptist Church, 127 Sam Beck Rd, Deer Lodge, MT 59722. Visitation with viewing will be held one hour prior to the funeral at the church. A graveside service will immediately follow the funeral at Hillcrest Cemetery in Deer Lodge. A reception will follow the graveside service at the Elks Lodge, 230 Main St, Deer Lodge, MT 59701. Memorials in honor of Norma are suggested to Diabetes Action Research and Education Foundation.
Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or share a memory of Norma.
Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Norma and her family.
Service Schedule
Visitation
10:00 a.m.
Thursday August 11, 2022
First Baptist Church
127 Sam Beck Rd.
Deer Lodge, Montana 59722
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Thursday August 11, 2022
First Baptist Church
127 Sam Beck Rd.
Deer Lodge, Montana 59722
Graveside Service
Following Service
Thursday August 11, 2022
Hillcrest Cemetery
Deer Lodge, Montana 59722
Reception
Following Graveside
Thursday August 11, 2022
Elks Lodge
230 Main St.
Deer Lodge, MT 59722
Service Schedule
Visitation
10:00 a.m.
Thursday August 11, 2022
First Baptist Church
127 Sam Beck Rd.
Deer Lodge, Montana 59722
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Thursday August 11, 2022
First Baptist Church
127 Sam Beck Rd.
Deer Lodge, Montana 59722
Graveside Service
Following Service
Thursday August 11, 2022
Hillcrest Cemetery
Deer Lodge, Montana 59722
Reception
Following Graveside
Thursday August 11, 2022
Elks Lodge
230 Main St.
Deer Lodge, MT 59722
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Inga Didier says
Norma was one of my dearest friends, we met our freshman year in High School and had many good times together. I always thought of Hazel as my second Mom. Jeff and my kids grew up having lots of good times together. We visited Deer Lodge often and took trips together. I stayed with Norma in Jackpot several times, enjoying the life there. We took a trip to Spokane for my grand daughter’s 2nd birthday. Even in Las Vegas we had lots of good times, they even visited us in Sierra Vista, Az and we took them to Tombstone. She will be in my heart forever. Inga Didier
Linda Spaulding says
Dale, Linda, Rosie, Ronnie, Randy and families. I am sorry to learn of Norma’s passing. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sheila zachary says
Norma you will be missed, You were such a good person. You are always very good to me, And I loved how you made my daughter Welcome in your family. You will be missed
Sharen ezell says
I never had the pleasure of meeting this beautiful woman, met her through the eyes and life of inga. Prayed a number of times for inga’s friend. She loved her so much. This special lady had a huge heart and loving spirit! Hope to meet her in the next world. Amazing how our friends and their friends affect our lives. I know she will be deeply missed by inga and now me too, cause I always asked about her! Sorry for your loss dear family and friends. My thoughts and prayers r with u!