Norma Marie Dowdle

Norma Marie Dowdle, 91, of Freeport, Illinois passed away Friday, October 20, 2017, at Parkview Home. Norma was born October 14, 1926, in Lincoln, Illinois, the daughter of Frank and Dora (Haines) Krotz. She attended St. Joseph Hospital Nursing School in Memphis, Tennessee as a member of the Cadet Nursing Corps beginning in 1944, becoming a Registered Nurse upon graduation in January, 1947. She married Walter F. Dowdle on August 28, 1947, at St. Mary's Church in Lincoln, Illinois. Mr. Dowdle died June 19, 2006. Norma was a longtime member of St. Thomas Aquinas Church, and hosted a weekly rosary prayer group at her home for many years. She and Walter enjoyed traveling to many destinations around the world. She was very generous, supporting many charitable organizations. Norma was famous for her Hungarian Dobos Torte cakes, which she baked and gave to friends and family for over 60 years. Walter and Norma had seven children. Surviving Norma are her children, Michael E. Dowdle of Sylvan Lake, Michigan; Timothy (Janine) Dowdle, of Baltimore, Maryland; Colleen (Mark) Gallagher, of Freeport, Illinois; Cathie (Bob) Hoover of Sauk Rapids, Minnesota; George (Pam) Dowdle of Camden, So. Carolina; Carol (David) Keith, of Freeport, Illinois; and her sister, Frances (Gus) Skapek, of Shaker Heights, Ohio. She is preceded in death by her parents, brother Edward Krotz, husband Walter, and daughter Cynthia McWilliams. She has 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Funeral Mass will be Tuesday, October 24, 2017 at 10:30 am at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. Father Kenneth Anderson will officiate. Visitation will be from 4-7 P.M. with a rosary starting at 3:30 P.M. on Monday October 23, 2017 at Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home in Freeport. Graveside service will be Wednesday October 25, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Lincoln, Illinois. A memorial has been established in Norma's memory. Please sign her guest book at www.burketubbs.com .