Norma Jean Van Buren

Norma Jean (Zills) Van Buren, 76, of Waupun, died on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, surrounded by her family. She was born on January 29, 1949, in Beaver Dam, the daughter of Norman A. Zills and Doris F. (Hersey, Zills) Birkholz. Norma resided in the vicinity of Oakfield as a child, and then later in Waupun. She attended Oak Center grade school, St. Peter’s Lutheran school of Fond du Lac, and graduated from Waupun High School in 1967. She furthered her education by going to Moraine Park Technical Institute and graduated as an LPN certified in adult/pediatric tracheotomy and ventilation care. In 1972, she married Martin D. Van Buren. They resided in the vicinity of Waupun their whole lives with their four children.

Norma worked as an LPN at Waupun Memorial Hospital, Christian Rehabilitation Home, and later as an independent LPN for homecare agencies caring for homebound people with special needs. In 1992, she again attended Moraine Park Technical Institute and became a licensed manicurist/pedicurist and started her own business – The Nail Works. Working at her business, she especially enjoyed developing many new friendships.

Retiring in 2014, Norma enjoyed spending more time with family and friends. She loved flower gardening, sewing, repurposing glass art, especially angels, going to rummage sales and antique and thrift stores. Norma enjoyed family vacations, especially camping at many Wisconsin state parks and going out west to Yellow Stone National Park, Mount Rushmore, and to the Black Hills. Her favorite trips were to Hawaii with her husband, North Carolina to visit her close friend Carolyn, and to Georgia to visit her son Kurtis.

Norma was an avid member of Grace Lutheran Church of Waupun where she taught Sunday school, helped with Vacation Bible as a craft instructor, and chaperoned the Youth Group at an International Youth Rally. She also enjoyed attending bible study group.

Norma is survived by her husband of 53 years, Martin; four children, James (Jennifer) of Waupun, Kurtis of Lawrenceville, GA, Zebulon of Neenah, and Zachary (Carrie) Van Buren of Knowles; grandchildren, Noah of Waupun, Katie (Michael) Brunner of Verona, Meleah of Waupun, Skyler of Neenah, Olivia of Waupun, and Hadley and Haven of Knowles; brothers and sisters-in-law, Dale and Norma Van Buren, Marilynn Van Buren, Bonnie Van Buren, Vikki Van Buren, and Karen Beek; and many other close friends and family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Norman Zills and Doris (Hersey, Zills) Birkholz; stepfather, Lyle Birkholz; stepsister, Dianne Birkholz; grandson, Marcus Zachary Van Buren; grandparents; great grandparents; aunts; uncles; cousins (Klein and Zills); in-laws, Melvin and Alice Van Buren, Carol and Art Lamonska, Bruce Van Buren, Robert Van Buren, and Kendall Van Buren; and niece, Tara Van Buren.

Funeral services are pending. Cremation has taken place.

Services are in the care of Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 North Park Avenue, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935. Additional information and guestbook can be found at ueckerwitt.com