Norma June (Smith) Walz

Mrs. Norma June (Smith) Walz, age 80 years, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Jefferson City, Missouri, passed away Friday, July 10, 2015 in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Norma was born at the home of her parents in Mexico, Mo. on September 10, 1934. She was the last of 12 children born to Enos and Lillian Gillmore Smith. She was a member of the 1952 graduating class at Jefferson City High School and was actively involved with the alumnae group her entire life. Norma always said her years at JCHS were four of the best of her life. She enjoyed all of her classmates and she formed lifelong friendships. On January 16 1965, she married the love of her life, Don F. Walz at Faith Lutheran Church in Jefferson City. He preceded her in death on September 17, 2010. Norma began her professional career working for the Missouri Highway Department in 1953 before moving to Dallas where she was employed as a bookkeeper for Neiman Marcus. She attended Northwestern University through correspondence to obtain her training as an insurance underwriter in the late 1950's. She worked for several life insurance companies including Perpetual National Life Insurance and was one of their first female underwriters. Norma took a hiatus from her professional career to be a full-time homemaker and was active in her children's school and church organizations when they were younger. She enjoyed working for several years with the Girl and Boy Scouts and PTA President and Home Room Mother. Once her children were older, she returned to work at Jefferson City High School in 1979 and worked in budget and control, a job she truly enjoyed. She also worked part-time at Milo H. Walz, Inc. for many years. In 1985 she officially retired to travel with her husband, Don and enjoy her grandchildren. Norma enjoyed skiing, a sport she did not experience until she was in her 40's. She loved going to Colorado every year with her husband and friends. An avid reader, she loved studying Russian History. Norma is survived by: her children, Rick Thrash and his wife Amy of Jefferson City, Mo., Denise Willroth and her husband Mark of Jefferson City, Mo., Donna Ward and her husband Todd of Jackson, Mo. and Steve Walz and his wife Shelley of Tampa, Fl.; her six beloved grandchildren, Missy Holmes and her husband Lee and their children Rylee and Reese, Anna Keenan and her husband Jonathan and their son Chandler, Tommy Thrash, Charley Thrash, Henry Walz and Lily Ward. She always described her grandchildren as one of her greatest joys and blessings. She is also survived by her sister, Betty Chevez of Tucson, Az.; brother, Dee Smith of Springfield, Mo.; “sister” and dear friend, Caroline Jones; sisters-in-law, Claudia Walz, Janet Walz Urzi, Ruth Walz Downey, Marinell Walz; brother-in-law, James Walz; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Don, and nine siblings. A celebration of life service will be held at 6:00 p.m. Monday, July 13, 2015 at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau with the Reverend Mark Martin officiating. Visitation will be held at Freeman Mortuary in Jefferson City from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 14, 2015. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 15, 2015 at Faith Lutheran Church with the Reverend Tony Alter and the Reverend Mark Martin officiating. Graveside services and interment will be held at the Walz Family Plot at Riverview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Wounded Warrior Project, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Alzheimer’s Association, or the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Association. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Ford & Sons Funeral Home and Freeman Mortuary.

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Norma June (Smith) Walz

September 10, 1934 - July 10, 2015