Norma Jean (Bergia) Winters

Norma Jean Winters, 87, of Metamora, IL passed away at 9:50 pm on Friday, September 16, 2022 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, IL.

She was born on July 29, 1935, in Peoria, IL, to Ray and Velda (Hubert) Bergia. She graduated from Woodruff High School in 1953. Norma met Gustave “Gus” Winters through his brother next door and after a whirlwind romance, they married on September 4, 1954 in Springfield, IL. They raised four children together. He passed away on December 28, 2015.

Surviving are her daughter, Deb Winters of Metamora; son, Chris Winters and friend, Gregg of Peoria, IL; two grandchildren, Devon (Aaron) Benson of Southern Illinois and Trevor Winters and Loren of Idaho; three great-grandchildren, Bradley, Oliver, and newly born Aria, whom she hoped she would still be here to see; sister, Connie (Steve) Bachman Doran of The Villages, Florida; daughter-in-law, Trisha Wilson; nephews, Randy (Natalie) Bachman of Iowa and Rick Bachman of California; and nieces and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents and two sons Tommy and Eric Winters.

Norma loved being outdoors, camping, hiking, fishing, and with the big yard there was always continuous work. But she preferred working in the yard, raking, trimming, and especially creating her flower gardens, and, of course, the endless job of trying to organize the barn.  Her creativity overflowed in her later years in writing, watercolor painting, and making craft journals.  She spent many hours at the craft table thoroughly enjoying her work.

Norma belonged to St. Mary of Lourdes Catholic Church and had been through Cursillo; thereafter, she was active in Cursillo, on teams, prison ministries, and Bible studies.  With Gus, they met many wonderful people and made lifelong friends.  When Gus retired, they started their annual winter trip to Phoenix, Arizona in their motor home.  One year, they began their trip in the early fall at Niagara Falls, traveling down the east coast until reaching Florida.  They came home for Christmas and then spent their usual three months in Arizona.  Those were wonderful years for them.

Throughout the years, even until near the end, Norma had loved to collect and resale.  She and Gus spent many years going to auctions and house sales to later set up at flea markets, antique malls, and finally she loved selling on E-Bay.  It was hard work but she loved it and recently had items she hoped to sell on Marketplace.

Norma’s first priority was her family.  She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.  She loved everyone dearly, worried about everyone, and you were always in her thoughts.  We love you Mom and will miss you so much.

We would like to acknowledge and thank those doctors and nurses who treated our Mom with kindness and compassion; especially the nurses at the OSF Infusion Center, OSF St. Francis Hospital, the Virtual Advanced Care nurses, Home Health Care nurses, and Dr. Michael Veeder, Illinois CancerCare.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, September 26, 2022 at St. Mary of Lourdes Catholic Church with Father Eric Bolek officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:30 am until time of her mass, also on Monday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Illinois CancerCare Foundation, 8940 North Wood Sage Road, Peoria, IL 61615. Burial will be in St. Mary of Lourdes Catholic Cemetery. Online condolences at www.masonfuneralhomes.com.
 

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