Agatha A. Norton

Agatha A. Norton, 92, De Pere, formerly of Madison passed away on Monday, January 24, 2011. On September 4, 1918, Agatha was born to the late Timothy and Alice (Kane) Norton in the Town of Rockland. She was a graduate of East De Pere High School, and then continued her education at University of Wisconsin -Stout earning her BS in Home Economics Education in 1939. Her teaching career began in Richland Center, Washington Jr. High School in Green Bay, and in Brookfield, teaching home economics for 17 years. Agatha then was a professor in the Related Art Department and Environment, Textiles and Design program at University of Wisconsin - Madison for 30 years. She wanted to study foods and nutrition when she was a teenager because she loved high school chemistry and had a friend who was a dietitian, but while at UW Stout she discovered she loved teaching. In 1956 she accepted an offer from the Related Art Department at UW, where she taught courses relating to apparel design, interior design, and textile arts. She served as Chair of the department from 1965 to 1972. Agatha shared many good times with friends and colleagues while being a faithful Badger season ticket holder. Out of an interest in ethnic arts and crafts, she had traveled to numerous regions around the world. Her artistic textile works have been displayed at local, state and national levels. As Agatha traveled she enjoyed painting, sketching and photographing the sites she discovered. Her most cherished time was spent with her nieces and nephews. Agatha was a longtime member of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Madison. She moved back to the De Pere area in 2003 to be closer to her family. Agatha is survived by her brother and sister-in-law: Donald J. and Norma Norton of De Pere and their children: Anne (Donald Jr.) Kamps and their children, Paul and Olivia; Kevin Norton; Colleen (Jeff) Loppnow and their children, Makayla and Caleb; Sean Norton; Michael Norton; Michelle (David) Anderson and their son, James; Noreen (Jeff) Borchardt and their children, Colin, Simon, and Emerson; Timothy Norton; and Monica Norton; a Godson, Tom Vanden Berg; and many special friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Timothy and Alice Norton; sisters, Florence, Mary, and Catherine (Edward) Driscoll; three infant brothers, Edward, Edwin and Joseph Norton. Family and friends may call on Saturday, January 29, 2011 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 220 S. Michigan St., De Pere from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. A mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at the church with the Rev. John H. Harper officiating. Burial at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Cotter Funeral Home, De Pere, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed to Agatha’s family at www.cotterfuneralhome.com. A special thank you to the staffs of McCormick Memorial Home , Angel’s Touch Assisted Living and Heartland Hospice for the special care and friendship given to Agatha and her family.