Karen Mae Norton

Karen Mae (Wedeking) Norton, 72, was called to her eternal resting place on Saturday, July 15, 2023. A memorial visitation will be held Wednesday July 19, 2023, from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm at the Helms Funeral Home in Decorah, IA (604 South Ave.) A private family graveside service and burial will take place at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston, MN at a later date. Karen was born to Lyle and Dorothy (Hurd) Wedeking on September 3rd, 1950, in Charles City, Iowa. She attended Waukon High School and graduated in 1968. On September 9, 1972, she was united in marriage to James Norton at the Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon, Iowa. She spent the majority of her life as a homemaker and raising her children. Karen enjoyed spending her free time painting beautiful ceramic pieces, reading, playing solitaire/cards, and doing embroidery. She also loved spending time at the trout stream with Jim and their grandchildren. She had a love of plants, birds, and flowers and a special talent for baking, especially her infamous banana bread. She will be dearly missed by her loving husband of over 50 years, Jim; brother: Stan Wedeking (special friend Mary Ann); children: Terry (Tiffany) Norton of Chesapeake, VA, Tanya Donlan of Mabel, MN, and Travis (Heather) Norton of Racine, MN; grandchildren: Robert and Penelope Norton, Bailey Hughes, Brandon Schneider, Taylor Donlan, and Garrett Norton; niece: Brenda (Steve) Kerner and family; nephews: Chuck Wedeking and Steve (Kari Ann) Wedeking and family; aunt: Delores Wedeking, and several cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, uncle Gene Wedeking, aunt Lucille and Ed DePuew, uncle Harold and Lois Hurd, and her cousins.