Monica Louise Norton

Monica Louise Norton, 45, passed away on February 10th, 2022, at home after a brief battle with cancer. Monica was born on May 21, 1976, to Donald and Norma (Steinfeldt) Norton.

Monica was the youngest of nine Norton siblings and was raised and lived her entire life on the family farm on the outskirts of De Pere. Bustling meals with everyone crowded around the kitchen table and trips to Grandma Norton and Aunt Mae’s in the station wagon were a large part of her happy childhood. Birthdays, holidays and other family photos of Monica’s childhood show her as a joyful girl with rounded cheeks and a beautiful smile, always cheerful and laughing. It was also her sense of humor and smile that made it impossible to stay mad at Monica. Once, as a child, Monica escaped the vigilant watch of her older siblings and crept in the kitchen for a treat. She was, however, quickly located…hiding in the closet, happily sampling from a container of Crisco with a spoon.

Monica attended Syble Hopp School, starting in Kindergarten and graduating in 1998. The staff and students at Syble Hopp became her second family. Monica’s bubbly personality naturally drew other students and teachers to her. She loved her teachers and classmates dearly, and talked about them frequently over the years. While Monica loved all of the events at school, she especially enjoyed attending the school dances–they were a combination of her two favorite things: music and people. One of the highlights of Monica’s time at Syble Hopp was being crowned homecoming queen. Her boyfriend, Jeremy Charles, was crowned homecoming king, giving the evening a fairytale ending.

Through her involvement with Syble Hopp Monica participated in a wide variety of activities–she was excited about everything! Monica enjoyed swimming, playing handbells, and learning sign language. Bowling, however, was a particular favorite activity. As a student she was able to participate in the Special Olympics and added even more activities to her list of accomplishments: soccer, cross country skiing, swimming, basketball, and track. Monica also worked in the community and practiced independent living skills at the school apartment. Monica approached each new experience with renewed enthusiasm and energy. Coach Vince Lombardi could have been speaking about her when he said “We would accomplish many more things if we did not think of them as impossible.”

In addition to her bubbly personality, Monica was known for her unwavering loyalty: she was dedicated to her friends, family, sports teams…and her musical hero, Elvis! Monica was the type of friend that all of us would want to have; upbeat, kind and always willing to spend time with you. Monica was also a beloved sister and aunt; she enjoyed holidays and loved the opportunity to give gifts to others. Monica was incredibly proud of her nieces and nephews and would be the first one to tell you of all of their accomplishments.

While Friday nights were reserved for fish frys with her family, Saturdays and Sundays were set aside for Monica’s other love: football. Both the UW Badgers and Green Bay Packers held a special place in her heart…and on her sweatshirts! Monica, unfortunately, could not choose one team over the other and could often be found wearing both teams at the same time. A creative mixture of colorful sweatshirts and socks showed her Wisconsin pride.

Monica's love for music started at an early age. Her mother, Norma, sang in the church choir and had an amazing record collection that filled the Norton house with music. Monica’s musical choices included many genres from country to pop and countless Disney hits–especially Frozen. If Monica wasn’t listening to music, she was singing along and dancing with Elvis’ hits on her karaoke machine.

Customers would recognize Monica from the many years that she worked at Subway on Washington Street in Green Bay. Her outgoing personality made her a natural fit for the job! Monica loved sharing details about her work–and also about the delicious meals that she had each day. Monica was extremely proud of her job and the responsibilities that came with it.

When Monica was not working at her favorite job, she enjoyed spending time with friends at ASPIRO and attending the Knights of Columbus activities. She also loved video games, riding her exercise bike and talking to her family and friends. For many years, she would call her best friend Mandy each evening to chat, unless she was with her on an outing or spending time with her Kocian family (her “peeps”) at their ranch.

Everyone who met Monica could instantly feel her enthusiasm for life. Her wonderful smile could make anyone feel welcome–she was always the first to say “hello” and was an unabashed hugger. Monica’s gift to us was that she was excited about everything–she often saw new things in the world that the rest of us had overlooked. While Monica will be missed by countless family members and friends, we know that she has gone home.


Survivors include her 8 siblings and their families: Anne (Don) Kamps and their children Paul of Lake Jackson, Texas and Olivia of De Pere; Kevin Norton of De Pere; Colleen (Jeff) Loppnow and their children Makayla and Caleb of Reedsville; Sean Norton of De Pere; Michael Norton of Madison; Michelle (David) Anderson and son James of De Pere; Noreen (Jeff) Borchardt and their children Colin, Simon and Emerson of Greenleaf; Timothy Norton of De Pere; Uncle Bill Clancy and his children “the Clancy Cousins” of Greenleaf; and numerous other Steinfeldt family cousins. Also, her best friend Mandy Sue Reetz and her mother Laurie Daul.

Monica was preceded in death by her parents; aunts and uncles: Ione (Joseph) Bushmaker, Marie (Melvin) Colson, Bill (Rosalie) Steinfeldt, Warren (Irene) Steinfeldt, Carlton (Dorothy) Steinfeldt, John (Marian) Steinfeldt, Godparents Rupert (Delilah) Steinfeldt, Donald Steinfeldt, Shirley Clancy, Catherine (Edward) Driscoll, Mary Norton, Edward Norton, Edwin Norton, Joseph Norton, Florence Norton and Agatha Norton.

Family and friends may visit from 9:00 am until 11:15 at Our Lady of Lourdes, 1307 Lourdes Ave. De Pere, on Tuesday, February 15. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 am with Fr. Jim Baraniak officiating. Online condolences may be expressed at www.cotterfuneralhome.com. The Norton family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Tracy Gallagher and the caring and compassionate angels of Unity Hospice.

Please, in lieu of flowers, donate to ASPIRO, Syble Hopp School, Unity Hospice or Special Olympics.

Cotter Funeral Home, 860 N Webster Ave, De Pere, is assisting the family.