Service Details
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Epiphany Lutheran Church, 2921 Olive St., Racine. Private interment will take place in West Lawn Memorial Park. A visitation will take place on Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Memorial Suggestions
The family has suggested memorials to Epiphany Lutheran Church or Shoreland Lutheran High School Foundation.
Mount Pleasant – Norman R. McInnis, 86, passed away at Ascension All Saints Hospital on Saturday, January 16, 2021 after a brief bout with COVID-19. Norm was quick with a smile and always had a kind word for everyone. He was generous in all respects, lovingly sharing his time and talents with family, friends, his church and many organizations.
Norm was born in Park Falls, WI on July 25, 1934, son of the late Chester R. and Mildred E. (nee: Bloomquist) McInnis. As a young child, he moved to Milwaukee and Butternut, WI before settling in Racine with his family in 1947. Norm attended schools in Butternut and Racine, graduating from Washington Park High School.
He served in the Air Wing of the United States Marine Corps from 1955-1958. Norm attained the rank of Sergeant and was stationed in the Philippines and Japan.
On October 13, 1962, Norm married the former Elaine Paul at Epiphany Lutheran Church. He was employed for several years at Western Printing then sought an accounting degree at Spencerian Business College, Milwaukee. After graduation, he joined J.I. Case Company and was promoted into many accounting positions, retiring as Assistant Corporate Controller in 1992.
He was a 74 year member of Epiphany Lutheran Church and found great joy in singing in the congregation’s choir. Norm’s volunteer work included actively serving as a board member and President, Treasurer and Secretary of Epiphany Lutheran Church. He was a long-time board member and Treasurer of both Shoreland Lutheran High School, Somers, and Wisconsin Lutheran Child and Family Services, Milwaukee. His hobbies included playing golf, dart ball and bowling, rooting on the Packers, and enjoyed traveling with Elaine to Australia, Europe and throughout the United States.
Norm leaves behind to cherish his memory, his loving wife, Elaine; devoted children, Gail (Jim) Whittier, Laura (John) Knoch, both of Mount Pleasant, and Kathryn (Steve) Kaplan of Oak Creek; beloved grandchildren, Corrine (Tom) Lawler of Ames, IA, Grant (Rachel) Whittier of Monterey, CA, Brenna Knoch and Kolton Knoch, both of Mount Pleasant, Seth Kaplan and Taryn Kaplan, both of Oak Creek and four great-grandchildren, Jude, Solomon and Adielle Lawler of Ames, IA and Artemis Whittier of Monterey, CA; sister Joan (Julius) Nagy of Sparks, NV, and brother, Lee McInnis of Watertown; other dear relatives and friends – too numerous to mention all by name.
In addition to his parents, Norm was preceded in death by his brother, Allan McInnis, his sisters-in-law, Annabelle Paul, Rose Jelinek, Mary Macko, Linda Paul, Marti McInnis, and Esther Andersen; and brothers-in-law, Andy and George Paul.
A celebration of Norm’s life is being planned and details will be announced at a later date. The family has suggested memorials to Epiphany Lutheran Church or Shoreland Lutheran High School Foundation.
Carol Johnson says
Dear Elaine and family. It is with a very saddened heart and our sympathy that we write this.
Norm was always a very caring and fun person. We have so many memories of our times together. When he first worked at the Case Co we sat next to each other. You know how I always teased him about the “men’s orginazation”. Our children growing up together. All the bowling tournaments we attended through out the state. But mostly I remember him always being in church, being involved and willing to help. He sat next to my dad in choir and oh how they loved to sing. He will be missed.
God’s blessings to you and your family.
With our sympathy, friendship and love.
Bob and Carol Johnson
Mimi Brege (Kraus) says
Dear Elaine and family, Norm was a special person and he will be missed. My dad really enjoyed his friendship with him. I remember his kind manner and all he did for the church. Find comfort in knowing he is with Jesus in heaven and in all your wonderful memories ❤
Melissa Caira says
My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family.
VESNA RIOJAS says
Dear Laura, Elaine, and family: Norm was a very sweet man who truly loved his family and enjoyed helping in any way possible. I remember when I would dog sit for Laura’s family how Norm would come over to check on the dogs and we would end up watching some old western on Grit TV. This so reminded me of my own late father. Norm loved and was very proud of all his children and grandchildren. His love for Elaine was beyond words. And his devotion to her is something all married couples should strive to attain. My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family, Norm will be truly missed by all who knew him.
Nikki Wotnoske says
Dear Gail, Jim & Family
We are so sorry for your loss. Norm was the best “backyard” neighbor you could ask for. Always very kind when he would see us. He’d always give our dog Rylie an extra hello whenever he would see us walking by or playing in our back yard. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time.
Dan & Nikki Wotnoske & Rylie too
Nancy (Heinkel) Thomsen says
Norm was always quick with a smile and greeting. What a kind and caring man. He will be greatly missed. My sincere condolences to Elaine and her loving family.
Dawn D. Dunk says
Your father/grandfather was a kind soul who always had a quick smile and warm hello. Will miss seeing him in the neighborhood on my walks with Rocky.
Keith Rigby says
Our sympathies to your family. I have many great memories with Norm and Elaine. May God give you comfort and peace knowing that Norm is now in heaven with his Savior and we will meet again. He will be missed.
Pam (Radtke) Meyer says
To the McInnis Family –
Sadness fills my heart with sadness to see that Norm has left this Earth. As Elaine and him being part of our grade school & high school family so many great times were spent together. I forgot about him in the choir. Us kids had a great time growing up with your family. You have to know how valued your friendship was to my family. You guys had such a blast when you would all get together and us kids were in my basement hearing you all laughing all the time. And the mystery of the shoes I’m sure is still in place. I’m glad Norm’s suffering is over and he is rejoicing in heaven. So many great memories and he was always so nice to me and always smiling.
Thank you for including me in your family. Much love to Elaine, Laura, Gail, and Kathy.
Anonymous says
Dear Kathy,
Memories with your father will be forever cherished. Prayers for you and all your family for you to know just like Our Heavenly Father his arms are always wrapped around you to give you love and comfort beyond measure. I am so sorry for your loss. I love you all!
Telicia Schroeder
Larry and Emmy Becker says
Kathy, Elaine and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Sincere condolences and prayers for all of you
C. J. Devine says
My sincerest sympathy to the McInnis family on Norm having passed. I knew Norm from work at the J. I. Case Company and he was always a pleasure to work with. He was a quality gentleman.
Barb Larsen says
My sincere condolences to you and your family Elaine.
Jennifer Thielen says
My deepest sympathy to the family. I met Norm at a 20 Year Club Dinner for Case Company when I had the honor to go with my father, William Thielen. Norm sat with us at dinner. He was a very nice gentleman.
Anonymous says
Laura, John and family,
My deepest sympathies to all of you. I remember your dad as kind, gentle man who deeply loved his family. Take good care of each other through this difficult time.
Heather (Nissen) Ortiz
Kerri Bush says
Elaine and family,
Norm was a pillar of the church/Shoreland community. A better Christian role model would be hard to find. He will truly be missed. May God give you peace and comfort, knowing he rests in his Savior’s arms.
Kerri and Randy
Judi Swanson Dandeneau says
Dear Elaine, I just saw that Norman passed away in January. My deepest sympathy to you and your family. Reading all of the nice things said about Norman reminded me of a quote I like…”Those we laughed with, learned from, leaned on and loved most, leave us the best Memories. “
With peace, prayers and Blessings for you all.
Mike Volk says
Gail, Jim and Family
It was goes without saying that Norm was truly one of the “GOOD” guys. He especially always went out of his way to chat with me at all the Shoreland golf outings and I really appreciated that. He raised a great family and you should be very proud. He will be sadly missed.
Our deepest condolences.
Mike & Mary V