Norene Patricia Ketelhut

Norene Patricia Ketelhut, age 85, died Sunday, August 11, 2019 at Ascension St. John Hospital in Warren. She was born July 20, 1934 in Detroit, daughter of the late George Washington Moss and the late Gertrude Ernestine (nee: Wiggle) Moss.

Norene was quite the prim & proper lady who juggled a plethora of responsibilities daily. Along with her role as homemaker and Mom, she was also extremely proud of the position she held as Secretary to the Dean of Students at Macomb County Community College in Warren. For 40 years, Norene extended the utmost in dedication to the Dean, the school, and the countless students that benefited from her devotion to her work.

Yet for as much as she liked to work, Norene also liked to play and bring a little balance to life,…which often meant it was time to go shopping. No mall or shopping center was a stranger to this lady,…and when it came to scoping out the best deals, Norene knew where to find them. Of all the places that fed her shopping appetite, Birch Run certainly offered the finest array of stores in one location. For Norene, that was Shopper’s Heaven. And when she ventured north to that Mecca of Merchandise, it just happened to be in the vicinity of one of her other passions,…the charming hamlet of Frankenmuth. A little taste of Bavaria in our own backyard, Norene found great joy and pleasure in visiting this picturesque town with its unique and inspiring architecture,…and its vast opportunities for shopping, too!

In telling a story of Norene, this recounting would be terribly remiss if not for mentioning her proclivity for talking on the phone. She loved to stay in touch and keep up on all the “news,”…and there were never any worries about cauliflower ear for this Queen of Conversation.

Like many Moms of her era, Norene knew her way around the kitchen,…especially at holiday time. Oh sure, she could work her culinary magic on any day of the year, but preparing for the holiday meals is where Norene truly shined. It was at those special times of year that she poured the best of her maternal talents and skills into creating meals that would make your eyes roll back in your head out of pure pleasure. It’s been said, “if you’re eating, you’re happy,”…which means that Norene’s bunch was always overjoyed! If you left her table hungry, you just weren’t tryin’.

Possessing that professional nature for which she was known, it’s no surprise that Norene was noted for being quite the timely woman. Always punctual, always on time, she was a woman of integrity that respected the importance of a schedule and its effect on others. And along with punctuality, being correct was held in high regard as well. To all who knew her, Norene was NEVER wrong,…(even when she was wrong.)

Whether career woman, Mom, or anything in between, Norene will forever be remembered as a fun-loving and generous lady who gave of herself often, without conditions and with an unselfish heart. Always putting others before herself, Norene bore the soul of a servant and was the kind of person who was always there for you. Just like Joe Cocker’s lyrics promise, “you just call out my name and you know wherever I am, I’ll come running to see you again.”

Yet for as giving, compassionate, and kind as she was, there was always one “stern” request that hung in the balance,…DON’T TOUCH MY HAIR! Always coifed and styled, Norene’s hair was her “crown of beauty” that constantly required a hedge of protection so as to maintain its prestige.

Many will also reflect on Norene’s love of animals, especially for the many Boston Terrier’s that helped make her house a home over the years. Her special pups infused her heart & home with a joy and youthfulness that made each day fun, interesting, and fulfilling. Norene was definitely the consummate “Fur Mama” to her cute and energetic little canine companions.

But of course, Norene’s greatest portion of love was that poured out for her loving family. A devoted mother and grandmother, she leaves behind a storehouse of warm and memorable moments for all to cherish who were blessed to know this amazing woman. In her own unique way, Norene touched a multitude of hearts and souls in her journey through life and leaves a legacy of love to be embraced with each reflection shared. She will be missed immensely and loved eternally.   

Norene was the beloved mother of Diane (James) Zawal, Dave Ketelhut, and Dawn (Michael) Verstraete. Loving grandmother of Tiffiny (Josh) Sloop, Trisha Russell, Ryan Verstraete, Kayla (Gus) Guzman, and great-grandmother of Devin Kincaid, Cassidy Cantwil, Caden Haggadone, Lindsey Cantwil, Keegan Cantwil, and the twins, Leila & Lorenzo Guzman. Dear sister of Janice Howell, the late Larry Plutschuck, and the late Bob Plutschuck.

Visitation for Norene will be held Friday, Aug. 23rd from 3-9 pm at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road at Common (12 ½ Mile Road) in Warren. Her Funeral Services will take place at 11:00 am on Saturday, Aug. 24th at the funeral home.

Memorial donations are welcomed to the Michigan Humane Society, 30300 Telegraph Road, Suite 220, Bingham Farms, MI 48025, or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (www.stjude.org)

Please share memories of Norene at her guest book below.