Norma Ruth Kroes, 83, of Pinehurst died on Monday, February 5, 2007 at her home.

A funeral mass was held February 12, 2007 in North Carolina. A memorial service mass for Norma's friends in Central Illinois will be held Saturday, February 17, 2007, at 10:00 A.M. at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Urbana. Father Joseph Hogan is presiding.

Mrs. Kroes was born July 28, 1923, in Effingham, Illinois to the late George Thies and Adele Neimeyer Thies. She graduated from St. John's School of Nursing in Springfield, Illinois. She was a registered nurse for 25 years, practicing nursing primarily in the obstetric field at Mercy Hospital in Urbana. Prior to moving to Pinehurst, she was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Urbana for 58 years. She was a former president of the Altar and Rosary Society there and very active in the parish activities.

Mrs. Kroes was a member of the Retired Nurses Association. She was a Volunteer for over 20 years with Champaign County Nursing Home in Urbana. She loved hiking, traveling, and playing golf. She spent her summers on Lake Lauzon, Ontario, Canada, for over 40 years. She was a former Girl Scout of America and Boy Scout of America Troop leader. Mrs. Kroes was on the Champaign County Board of Elections for over 20 years.

She was preceded in death by a son, Stephen Kroes, a brother James Thies, and her sister Mary Very Thies.

She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Verne A. Kroes of Pinehurst, a son Michael Kroes and his wife, Carol, of Pinehurst, and a daughter, Anita Kroes Brewer and her husband, Frank, of Pinehurst; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Renner-Wikoff Chapel 1900 S. Philo Rd. Urbana is handling the arrangements. Condolences may be offered at renner-wikoffchapel.com.