FITCHBURG – Norma Jane (Richards) Davidson, age 94, passed away on Thursday, May 17, 2018 at Agrace HospiceCare. Norma was born on July 6, 1923 in Spring Green, WI to Mae (Michels) Richards and George Richards. She was brought up on a farm in the Big Hollow Spring Green area and went to the Roosevelt grade school and graduated from Spring Green High School in 1941.
Later, she worked in Madison where she met her future husband, Lucius Davidson Jr They were married on February 13, 1945 in DeForest. Lucius and Norma purchased his parents’ farm in the Deforest/Sun Prairie area.
They worked side-by-side until 1972. Lucius then went to work at the U.W. Experimental Farm in Arlington. He passed away on September 29, 2003.
They were blessed with six children: Donna, San Jose, CA; Keith (Sandi), Forest Lake, MN; Gerald (Ellen), Madison; Steven (Sandy), Lodi; Eugene (Karen), Waunakee; and Dennis (Kim), Waunakee. She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings Stella Bauer, Donald Richards, Berneice Stueber, Wilbur Richards, Elizabeth Coyne, Lyle Richards and Mary Lou McCabe. She is survived by her sister Lois Swaziek along with nine grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren with one on the way and one great, great grandchild.
Norma was a woman who touched many lives through her passionate love for life, family, and friendship. Those who visited her were greeted with warmth, compassion, and a good story. Her relentless work ethic was evident throughout her life in farming, parenting, gardening, baking and writing letters.
Her defining characteristic was her significant role within her family; she was a devoted wife, a loving mother, and cherished grandmother. A visitation will be held at RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 6924 Lake Road, DeForest, on Monday, May 21, 2018 from 4pm to 7pm. A Funeral Service will be held at DEFOREST EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 at 11am with Pastor Chuck Gaston presiding.
A visitation will be held prior to the service from 10am to 11am. Norma enjoyed almost 6 years living independently at Waunakee Manor. She quickly fit right in and made many new friends including Elinor and rekindled old friendships with Donna and Warren.
Family would like to thank staff and residents that made her time there enjoyable, especially Peggy Schmudlach. Norma’s family would like to thank the countless caregivers, nurses, and volunteers at Agrace in Fitchburg who lovingly cared for her. We also want to extend our deepest appreciation to the many friends and family members who frequently visited Norma; especially Norma Van Buren, Betty Koenig & Darla Lockman.
To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www. ryanfuneralservice.com.
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