Norma Ellen Topper Clementi

1932 - 2022

Norma Ellen (Reetz) Topper Clementi

June 10, 1932 - Aug. 15, 2022

MADISON/SAUK PRAIRIE - Norma Ellen (Reetz) Topper Clementi, age 90, died August 15, 2022. Norma born June 10, 1932 in Stanley, Wi and was raised on a farm in rural Boyd, WI, the only child of Embert and Nellie (Miller) Reetz. Norma always wished for a sibling because it was lonely living out in the country without playmates. She attended the one room school house just down the road from her home.

Norma met her future life partner, Donald Topper when he was visiting his brother at a neighboring farm. Together, Norma and Donald had six children, Linda Walder, Dennis Topper, Sandra (Franco Muzzi), Barbara Bohn (Bob), Lisa Waters (Mark) and Pamela Amacher (Paul). Norma is survived by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Donald, a kind and gentle man, passed away in 1985, after years of hard work as a farm hand and handyman. On New Year's Eve in 1984, at the Candlelight Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas Nevada, Norma married Joseph Clementi. Joe was the proprietor of the Badger Tavern and together they enjoyed travel, dining out, fishing and going to sporting events; Joe passed away in 2005. On July 7, 1995, Norma retired from her job as a custodial worker for UW Madison after 27 years of service.

Over the years she worked a variety of jobs to help support her family from the canning factory to housekeeping in private homes. Norma always liked to try out new recipes and loved reading through cookbooks trying to find something new and interesting to try. She also demanded an immaculate house and all hands had to be on deck every weekend to make it happen when we were kids. Norma had a lot of good qualities, but patience wasn't one of them; when she decided she wanted something done she generally meant yesterday. Her newspaper, word search and Wheel of Fortune were a must daily ritual. Norma's house was always the central location where celebrations or meet ups of one kind or another took place. The door was open and she always tried to be available to listen to her grandkids and help them out when she could. 24/7 there was always a warm bed and a hug for those in need.

Grandkids: Steve (Becky) Topper, Shannon Walder, Tina Topper, Richard (Carol) Topper, Brandon Topper (Bridget), Joshua Wilson, Allison Wilson, Jessica (Chris) Schuler, Andrea ( Jacob) Potter, Keshia (Angie Hubeler) Bohn, Bridget Amacher and Tylor (Ashley) Amacher; many great and some great-great-grandchildren were all welcomed with love.

Norma was preceded in death by her son, Dennis; granddaughter, Abbigale; son-in-law, Dennis Waters; daughter-in-law, Linda Birnell Topper; step-sons: Tony Clementi and John Clementi. She is further survived by stepson, Joe "Butch" Clementi; and step-daughter, Lorrie Manning; cousins: Bill Reetz (Jodi) and Jean Beier.

The family would like to extend many heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to keeping mom at home for as long as possible. We couldn't have done it without the friends, neighbors and the wonderful team from Agrace Hospice.

A Funeral Service will be held Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at Hooverson Funeral Home, 251 Water St., Sauk City, WI 53583. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in the Sauk Prairie Cemetery.

Online condolences may be made at hooversonfuneralhomes.com.