On Saturday, November 16th, 2024, Norma Lucille (Knoll) Gushrowski passed away peacefully with her family at her bedside. As a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandma, Norma spent 94 wonderful years spreading joy to all around her.
Norma was born on May 28th, 1930, in Michigan City, Indiana, to Andrew and Helen (Lasky) Knoll. She was the fourth of ten children. Known for her charm, Norma caught the eye of a groomsman, Alfred Gushrowski, while standing in as a bridesmaid for his little sister and her dear friend, Arlene. Despite the priest thinking they didn’t pair well to walk down the aisle together, Alfred pursued Norma, and within six weeks of dating, they were engaged to be married. As the first couple to be married at Queen of All Saints Church, their strong commitment to their faith carried them to nearly seven decades of love and devotion to QAS
serving as a home for many special family moments. Together they raised their five children in the Catholic faith surrounded by an extensive, loving, and boisterous extended family that grew into many grandchildren. While it was known her laugh could be heard from miles away, Norma also lit up her kitchen with the sound of music, dancing along to Polka Hour every Sunday. Her talents were far and wide, ranging from serving as one of the founders of the Trail Creek Booster News in the community to the creator of the most delicious chicken noodle soup and tasty grasshopper pie in her own home. She was always very dedicated, never missing one of her grandchildren’s school or sporting events or an opportunity to babysit. Her fridge was always stocked with treats and her camera was full of film, capturing every moment including the infamous annual family Christmas photo. Her love for pictures continued as she moved into Rittenhouse Assisted Living and was known by the staff for her wall bursting with pictures of her family. A loving, witty, and wonderful woman until the very end, she will be greatly missed.
Surviving is her sister, Alberta “Bert” Clouse; five children Mary Kay (Jeffrey) Hanke, Thomas (Stacey) Gushrowski, Linda (Daryl) Pomranke, Jerry (Kathy) Gushrowski, and Jim Gushrowski; 11 grandchildren, Mara (James) Kasuboski, Joseph (Lindsey) Gushrowski, Courtney (James) McNeill, Elizabeth Fowler, Benjamin Hanke, Andrew (Annie) Pomranke, Matthew Pomranke, Kristen (Trent) Kern, Megan Gushrowski, Emily Gushrowski, Nicholas Gushrowski; and 16 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Alfred J. Gushrowski; her siblings, Charles "Chuck" Knoll, Harold "Archie" Knoll, Elizabeth "Betty" Pagels, Marian Ackerman, Louis Knoll, Ramona "Monie" Musgrave, Daniel “Danny” Knoll, and Helen Francis Knoll.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am, on Monday, November 25, 2024, at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church, 606 S. Woodland Ave., Michigan City, IN with Rev. Jordan Fetcko officiating. Burial will follow in St. Stanislaus Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm, Sunday, at the Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel, 418 Washington St., Michigan City, IN, and from 10:00 am - 11:00 am Monday at the Queen of All Saints Church Legacy Center. The Rosary will be recited at 3:30 pm Sunday in the funeral chapel.
Contributions may be made to Queen of All Saints Catholic Church, 606
So. Woodland Ave., Michigan City, IN 46360.
To sign a guest book and leave condolences online visit our website at
www.otthaverstock.com.
