Norma Jean Lotta, age 82, of Monroe, died on Thursday, September 9, 2017 at her home. She was born on October 31, 1934 in Dakota, IL; the daughter of Charles and Helen (Bartelt) Reuber. She graduated from Dakota High School.
Norma and Francis Lotta were united in marriage August of 1953, in Freeport, IL.
Norma was raised in a farm family, but upon wedding Francis she found herself busy learning the ropes of running the Skyline Tavern together with Francis while the young family grew. She also stepped in and took an active role in the Lotta family enterprise of the Mercury Ballroom, a proud historic icon of the days of the Depression when dance-a-thon's drew crowds from as far away as Chicago. She enjoyed playing piano and singing from an early age, and later in life joined the Sweet Adelines. Once the children had grown and left the family home, the Skyline Tavern and Mercury Ballroom were sold, and Norma once again found herself living the life of farming. The farm produced corn, hogs and soybeans until they eventually retired. This opened up new avenues of exploration for Norma. She joined the Quest Finders and enjoyed a bit of travel with the group in and around the state.
Norma was proud of her heritage and enjoyed doing genealogy. She completed the research required to document lineage and become member of the Daughters of American Revolution, adding her daughter and granddaughter to the DAR rolls. She enjoyed volunteering and continued doing so right to the end. Norma was active at Twining Valley, where she enjoyed playing piano for everyone.
She is survived by her children, Helen Francene (Timothy) Grewe of Portland, OR, Leo Lotta of Freeport, IL; Vito Mark (Corissa) Lotta of Verona, WI; Gene Lotta of Arlington, TX; LeRoy (Keri) Lotta of Davenport, IA; brother, Clifford "Tip" Reuber of Winslow, IL; sister, Marilyn Auvinen of Ashland, WI; 8 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and brother, Warren Reuber.
A Celebration of Norma's Life will be held Friday, September 15, 2017 from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon at the Pavilion at Twining Park (in the event of poor weather it will be at Shriner Hager Gohlke Funeral Home). Private burial will be in Oneco Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Twining Valley or Behring Senior Center.
Condolences may be sent to the family at: shriner111.com.
Norma and Francis Lotta were united in marriage August of 1953, in Freeport, IL.
Norma was raised in a farm family, but upon wedding Francis she found herself busy learning the ropes of running the Skyline Tavern together with Francis while the young family grew. She also stepped in and took an active role in the Lotta family enterprise of the Mercury Ballroom, a proud historic icon of the days of the Depression when dance-a-thon's drew crowds from as far away as Chicago. She enjoyed playing piano and singing from an early age, and later in life joined the Sweet Adelines. Once the children had grown and left the family home, the Skyline Tavern and Mercury Ballroom were sold, and Norma once again found herself living the life of farming. The farm produced corn, hogs and soybeans until they eventually retired. This opened up new avenues of exploration for Norma. She joined the Quest Finders and enjoyed a bit of travel with the group in and around the state.
Norma was proud of her heritage and enjoyed doing genealogy. She completed the research required to document lineage and become member of the Daughters of American Revolution, adding her daughter and granddaughter to the DAR rolls. She enjoyed volunteering and continued doing so right to the end. Norma was active at Twining Valley, where she enjoyed playing piano for everyone.
She is survived by her children, Helen Francene (Timothy) Grewe of Portland, OR, Leo Lotta of Freeport, IL; Vito Mark (Corissa) Lotta of Verona, WI; Gene Lotta of Arlington, TX; LeRoy (Keri) Lotta of Davenport, IA; brother, Clifford "Tip" Reuber of Winslow, IL; sister, Marilyn Auvinen of Ashland, WI; 8 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and brother, Warren Reuber.
A Celebration of Norma's Life will be held Friday, September 15, 2017 from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon at the Pavilion at Twining Park (in the event of poor weather it will be at Shriner Hager Gohlke Funeral Home). Private burial will be in Oneco Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Twining Valley or Behring Senior Center.
Condolences may be sent to the family at: shriner111.com.