Carol Rae Norton

Carol Rae Norton, 74, of Cedar Rapids, passed away on May 15, 2025, after a recent illness. A visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Cedar Rapids. The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 23, at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids.

Carol was born in Waterloo, Iowa to Raymond and Frances (Kanis) Larsen on July 26, 1950. As a teen she spent her time running around Dysart in Tama County with Kay and Betty before graduating from Dysart-Geneseo High School in 1968.

If you knew Mom at all, you knew she did not like to work outside the home, but she did, at various times, work to help make ends meet. She was a student aide at Indian Creek Elementary, she sold Avon, Tupperware, Home Interiors; whatever was needed at the time.

Thankfully, for all of us, she did start a brief secretarial career at Collins Radio in the late 1960’s. During that time at Collins, she met the love of her life, Steve Norton. On March 10, 1969, they traveled to Chicago, Illinois (for a second time; Mom had forgotten her birth certificate a couple of days before) where they were married and started their 55 glorious years together. They started a family soon after with Mark (Josie), Kerri (David Wagner) and Ryan (Nicole). That led to 6 grandkids, 3 great-grandkids, and lots of dogs (Brownie, Penny, Tiny, Pepper, Scruffy, Brittany, Mindy, Max, Duncan, Kinsey, Orella and Eedie).

Throughout her life she loved reading, knitting, crocheting, bowling, attending bible study and going to her kids’ and grandkids’ events (but only if the weather cooperated). She really enjoyed when the whole family could be together.

Our family would like to thank the Heritage Area Agency on Aging, Amada Senior Care and Evergreen Estates for helping Mom when she needed special care. We would also like to thank the nurses and doctors at Mercy Hospital and the St. Luke’s hospice staff. All the care and support you provided to Mom over the last couple of months was special and will not be forgotten. Thank you.

Carol is survived by her brother, Chuck; sons, Mark and Ryan; her daughter, Kerri; six grandkids, John, Hunter, Hannah, Kobe (Alisha), Jackson and Cooper; three great-grandkids, Mavryk, Marshall and Harlow.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Frances; grandchild, Aiden; and the love of her life, Steve.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the family.