West Salem - Norman “Norm” C. Ira, 85, of West Salem, passed away peacefully at the Gundersen Health System on Friday, October 7, 2022.
He was born January 31, 1937, in Protivin, Iowa, to Jerome and Adella Ira. Norm grew up on the family farm in Protivin. He graduated from Rudophium High School in 1955. Norm attended Northwest Medical Lab School in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was a lab technician in Clintonville and Hillsboro, Wisconsin for several years. He was also a painter as a side job. Many of the houses in Hillsboro have felt the swipe of his paint brush, both inside and out. Norm retired from Vernon Electric in Hillsboro after 22 years of service.
Norm married Jackie Robison in 1964. They had three children together-Mike, Shelly, and Mark Ira. They were later divorced.
Norm married Laura Berg on May 11, 1995. They lived in West Salem,Wisconsin.
Norm’s greatest joy was polka dancing with his wife, Laura. They traveled throughout the Midwest dancing at many Polka festivals and making many new friends.
Norm also liked to bowl, play pool, and basketball. He earned many trophies and awards. After retirement, Norm volunteered at the American Red Cross and drove for RSVP for seventeen years. He logged over 10,000 hours throughout the area. Many of his passengers loved and adored him for his kindness, patience, and polka music on the car radio. He also loved to play cards, especially Euchre. You had to be pretty sharp to beat him!!
Norm was a member of the St. Teresa Kolkata (formerly St. Leo’s) Catholic Church in West Salem from 1999 until his passing.
Survivors include his wife Laura; children, Mike Ira, Shelly (Dan) Sagert, Mark (Lisa) Ira; Stepchildren, Daniel (Penny) Hohmann, and Donald (Stacy) Hohmann; Grandchildren, Garrett Sagert, Jake and Kylie Ira, Dylan Hohmann and Nikki Severson, Stephanie (Jamie)Waletzki, Douglas (Desiree) Hohmann, Dalton (Cheyanne) Hohmann. Step-Great Grandchildren; Jaiden and Jaxson Severson, Scarlet and Lane Waletzki, Kayden and Brayden Hohmann. Sister-in-Law; Lyla Ira and several cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Norbert Ira.
A visitation will be on Tuesday, October 18, 2022 at the church from 9:30 A.M. until the time of service at 11:00 A.M. Lunch will be served.
Burial will follow at the Mount Vernon Cemetery in Hillsboro, Wisconsin.
