Alice M. Normand

Alice Mae Normand, 90, of the town of Lafayette, passed peacefully Thursday, February 19, 2026, at home surrounded by family while under the care of St Croix Hospice.

Alice was born August 21, 1935, in Chippewa Falls to James and Anna (O’Leary) McIlquham. She was the baby of the family. She married the love of her life, Vernon Normand on June 26, 1954, at St Bridget Catholic Church. Married over 70 years, together they raised a family of five boys and a girl.

She attended Bluff School and graduated from McDonell High School in 1953. After graduating she went to the University of Eau Claire for two years before starting a family. She raised her family while continuing her education, returning to college in 1970 once her youngest started kindergarten. She made the Dean’s list and received her Bachler’s Degree in Education in 1971. She continued her education and received her Master’s Degree in Education in 1977.

Alice began her teaching career at Notre Dame Catholic School following in her mother’s and sister’s footsteps. She taught at Notre Dame for one year before moving to Cadott Elementary where she taught for 25 years until retiring in May of 1997. At Cadott she taught grade levels Kindergarten through 6th. Kindergarten was by far her favorite. She would get her grandchildren to help with grading tests and homework passing on her love of teaching to them. After retiring she continue to be a substitute teacher when needed.

In her earlier years, Alice worked as a waitress starting at Woolworths. She then spent a number of years at Reiter’s Steak House waitressing, while raising a family and working to complete her degree. Her kids looked forward to her bringing home fries and burgers.

Alice loved to bake. Her homemade buns, chocolate chip cookies and ginger snaps seemed to disappear once they left the oven. She would keep cookie dough in the freezer rolled up and ready to be baked at a moment’s notice. She canned dill pickles, sweet pickles and beets. She taught her children, passing on her love for cooking, baking and canning.

One of Alice’s passions was shopping and going to thrift sales on Saturdays with her daughter Diane, leaving the boys at home to do chores with Dad. She loved going to Chippewa Family Restaurant with her coffee crew. Family trips to the condo in Florida or Las Vegas or the Black Hills were the highlight of many summers. A trip to Ireland with her teaching friends led to her kissing the Blarney Stone.

Alice loved to read. She always had a book within arm’s reach along with her favorite soda, Diet Coke. Her husband Vern wondered what to do with all the books in the house. She passed her love of reading on to her children.

Alice and Vern loved to take drives, exploring the country. On weekends whether by themselves or with grandkids along they would check out many small towns, parks and back roads. Drives to Burger King, McDonalds for ice cream or their favorite fish at Arby’s were weekly events. Many Fridays they could be found at Connell’s being served by their niece Ramana.

Alice was a member of the American Legion Post 77 Women’s Auxiliary serving as President for a number of years.

Alice is survived by her children, Robert (Beverly) Normand, Lairy (Lori) Normand, Diane (Jeffrey) Solin, Dale Normand, Gene (Sue) Normand and Phillip Normand; 19 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Ardie McIlquham, Dorothy McIlquham and Cathy Normand; brother-in-law, John (Claudia) Normand; and many fond relatives and friends.

In Heaven she will be reunited with her husband, Vern; parents, Anna and Jim; sister, Mary Ann (Perry), Frederick; brothers, Tom McIlquham, Jim (Audrey, Ellie) McIlquham, Bill McIlquham; niece Jeanie Stalcup (McIlquham); and nephew, Jeff Frederick.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 3 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, Chippewa Falls. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, March 4 at 11:00 a.m. at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel with a visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home. The American Legion Post Unit 77 Auxiliary will begin the service with a presentation. Interment will be at Prairie View Cemetery in the village of Lake Hallie.

The family would like to express their gratitude to St Croix Hospice and especially Sarah, Jen and Annie for the care and commitment they gave her.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the American Legion Post Unit 77 Women’s Auxiliary, are appreciated.