Norma Jean Schussler

Norma was born in Jacksonville, Illinois to Russell and Mildred Little but spent most of her childhood in Springfield, IL. Growing up, Norma was a busy and bright student who was involved in many activities. She was very active with the orchestra where she was an accomplished cellist and pianist. She was also Vice President of the Rainbow Girls. When Norma graduated from Springfield High School in 1949 she had earned a 4 year scholarship to Illinois State University to study for her teaching degree. At university, Norma met Botho Schussler whom she married in 1953. After university, Norma started teaching in Champaign, Illinois while Bo finished his studies. Norma and Bo moved back to Bo's native Canada where they would live in Calgary and Saskatoon before they settled in Winnipeg. During this time Norma became a Speech and Hearing Pathologist. In 1969 they decided to forgo another work transfer and began their family business, Boes Ltd.. Norma continued her work for the Child Guidance Clinic as a Speech Pathologist, which was instrumental in supporting the family during the new business start up. During this time Norma was very proud to obtain her Canadian Citizenship. She decided to leave her career in 1979 to work along side Bo, at Boes, full time. Following Bo’s passing in 1988, Norma was left to head Boes Ltd. Through her hard work and dedication, Norma was awarded the Manitoba Women in Business Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997.

Norma and Bo had two loving children, Laurie and Grant. Norma would spend countless hours in the cold, Winnipeg winters watching her kids excel at speed skating, hockey, and everything the River Heights Community Centre had to offer. Aside from River Heights, one of Norma's favourite places on earth was Eagle Lake, Ontario where they would spend their summers working at the family fishing camps until they purchased their own cottage in 1974. Norma had a love for fishing many species of fish, but her favourite was muskie fishing. She also loved to cook and find recipes from one of her dozens of cook books while watching the loons, eagles, and hummingbirds out the kitchen window. Norma's legacy is one of giving of herself unconditionally, love, kindness and, most importantly, family. Norma loved her children with all her heart and lived to watch her grandchildren in all their activities.

Norma is predeceased by her parents (Russell and Mildred), her husband (Botho), and her son (Grant). Norma is survived by her loving daughter Laurie (Ken) Keats; daughter-in-law, Norine Schussler; grandchildren, Brittany (Justin Warsylewicz ) Schussler; Kyle (Andee) Schussler; Courtney (Calvin) Pickard; Trent (Kiera) Schussler; and Kurt Keats (Jaime McNicholl). Norma was equally passionate about being a great-grandmother to her nine loving great-grandchildren: Henry, Kase, Charlie, Rose, Della, Marcy, Blakely, Vance, and Ryla. Norma's memory will forever inspire those who had the privilege of knowing her. Norma's spirit and unwavering love for her family will be dearly missed but never forgotten. May she rest in peace.

The family would like to thank all the wonderful, kind and caring nurses, caregivers and staff at Brightwater, and a very warm thank you to Sandy, Norma’s care companion and friend.

A private family service will be held at Eagle Lake this summer.

Memorial donations may be made to:

The Alzheimer Society of Manitoba

120 Donald St.

Winnipeg, MB.

R3C 4G2