Jan. 21, 1923 - Feb. 15, 2015
Isabelle was born to Swedish immigrant parents, Gust and Henny Westman in Duluth, Minnesota. She graduated from Denfeld High School in 1941. Following graduation, Norma enlisted in the Navy as a member of the Women Accepted for Voluntary Service (WAVES) during World War II. Awarded a World War II Victory Ribbon, her service to her country as a WAVE was one of her proudest accomplishments, providing her with lifelong friends and memories of their times together. After the war, Norma used her benefits under the GI Bill of Rights to earn her business credential and went to work at the Duluth Herald Tribune.
Shortly thereafter, Norma met Bill Jolitz and they were married in 1949. Together they raised a family of four, while moving across five states, including Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, ultimately residing in San Jose, California. In California, Norma served as church secretary at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Saratoga, was employed by the Cupertino Union School District, and was very active with the Bay Area WAVES of Northern California as a charter member.
Norma and Bill enjoyed travels to visit their numerous friends across the country, celebrated 25 years together in Hawaii, and traveled throughout Europe, rekindling connections with distant relations in Sweden. Following the death of Bill on September 5, 1993 due to complications from heart surgery, Norma once again soldiered on and enjoyed the company of her close friends and neighbors in San Jose, California. In later years, Norma moved to Jackson to be closer to her daughter Brenda and son-in-law Chip, and later moved again to Lodi, California. Norma passed away peacefully on February 15, 2015, surrounded by the love of her family.
Norma is survived by her three children, Brenda Walker, Bill Jolitz Jr., and Kim Jolitz Steingraber, their spouses, nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Donations in lieu of flowers can be sent to the American Cancer Society, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, or the American Heart Association.
VISITATION
No visitation will be held
SERVICES
A military funeral for Norma Jolitz will be held on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at San Joaquin National Cemetery, 32053 McCabe Rd, Gustine, CA 95322.