Kische, Norma

Norma M. Kische, age 97, died peacefully on July 17, 2010, in Yreka, California surrounded by family. She was born Dec. 2, 1912, in Knowlton, Wis., the third of seven children born to Mathew and Susan Barth (Britten). As the daughter of a salesman, she moved with her family frequently in her childhood. After Norma’s mother Susan succumbed to an infection resulting from surgery, she lived with her elder sister Genevieve (Gene), who was living in New London, Wis. There Norma met Walter Kische, the man she would marry in 1935 and who would father her three children. Walter preceded her in death in 1987. Walter and Norma built a thriving beer and liquor distributing business, both retail and wholesale, in New London. They lived there with their three children until 1952, when they sold the business and moved to Leona Valley, Calif. with their family. Norma had two sisters and a brother living in the Southern California area. In California, Norma and Walter purchased the Leona Valley Store. At that time it was a country grocery store, beer bar and gas station. In 1953, Norma and Walter divorced. Norma retained the store as sole owner and proprietor until 1967, when she sold it, eventually moving to High Vista, Calif. In 1976 she moved to Yreka, where she purchased a home. Walter and her sons, Charles and Tom, had earlier relocated to that area. During their retirement years in Yreka, Norma and Walter spent many hours together camping and fishing at Iron Gate Lake and Copco Lake. They were also always together at family gatherings. The two remained close friends until Walter’s death in 1987. Norma was predeceased by her sisters, Gene Owens and Evelyn Vicks; her brothers, Mathew Barth, Roy Barth, Vernon Barth and Lou Barth; a half-brother, Larry Barth; a half-sister, Pat; and a great-great-granddaughter, Heaven Carroll. Surviving her are her children: Sue Juarez of McLean, Va.; Charles Kische (Elaine) of Yreka; and Tom Kische (Verdell) of Lake Shastina. She is also