Norbert F. Kaja
1935-2022
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Norbert F. Kaja on Apr. 4, 2022, born Jan. 17, 1935, the second son of John and Veronica Kaja in the city of Cudahy. Norb Kaja’s Celebration of Life is April 23rd at River of Hope Church, 1129 W. Broadway, Medford. Friends will be received from 1-3 p.m., Pastor Josh will speak at 3 p.m. He graduated from Cudahy High School in 1953. Norbert loved to watch the Packers, play golf, hunt, fish, play accordion and guitar and sounded like Elvis and Johnny Cash. The past few years his favorite morning hangout was breakfast at Uncommon Ground Coffee shop with China Heil (his best buddy) and his coffee clutch group.
He was married in 1955 to Carol J. Herman, daughter of Agnes and Andrew Herman of Medford, then moved to Milwaukee where he started his career as a journeyman machinist for Allis Chalmers in West Allis and serving in the naval reserve at the Naval Station Great Lake in Northern Illinois. Ten years later they moved to Whittlesey where they purchased Norb’s Tap (later known as the high Chaparral Supper Club in 1969).
Norb was one of the co-founders of the Chelsea Conservation Club as well as one of their first youth hunter safety instructors for boys ages nine and up. He was very active in the Whittlesey Catholic church and was the first choir director there (now Our Lady of Perpetual Help). His cremated remains will be buried at Whittlesey Catholic Cemetery at a later date.
He was most remembered as the AFLAC salesman where he became district manager in 1977 and received many sales awards. He left that organization to work for the Prudential Insurance Company in 1979.
After retiring from years of selling insurance he opened a used car lot and garage at his home location on Hwy. 13 (now the home of Royal Credit Union).
What put a smile on his face the most was playing guitar and singing for his friends at birthday parties and celebrations.
Norbert is survived by his ex-wife, Carol Kaja; son, David and (Deb) Kaja of Withee; son, William (Yvonne) Kaja of Gilbert, Ariz.; and daughter, Sandy Emmerich, Wausau as well as his grandchildren, Rindi (Justin) Boie of Big Lake, Minn,, Richell (Jordan) Dziak, Kiana Emmerich of Little Canada, Minn., Beau Emmerich of Wausau; sister, Carol (Brian) Kellogg; and extended granddaughter, China Heil of Medford and numerous nieces; nephews; other relatives; and many dear friends.
He was preceded in death by twin daughters, Mary and Dorothy in infancy; brothers, Donald and Fabian Kaja; and parents Vernell and John Kaja.
John J Buettgen Funeral Home & Mid Wisconsin Cremation Society of Schofield, Mosinee, and Wis. Rapids is serving the family. Online condolences can be left at MWCS.WS.
Paid Obituary 119331
