Norma Jean Bouse, age 94 of Collinsville, IL, peacefully passed away on Monday, March 17, 2025, at Meridian Village Memory Care in Glen Carbon, IL surrounded by her family.

She was born January 19, 1931, in East St. Louis, IL to the late Clarence and Leona (nee Bess) Meyer. She graduated from Collinsville High School, Class of 1948.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Bouse, whom she married January 27, 1951; and two brothers: Richard and Edward Meyer.

Norma enjoyed gardening and line dancing. She had many hobbies and enjoyed teaching others. She shared her love of gardening, baking, sewing, crafting, and card games with her grandchildren, who now share many of the same hobbies that she enjoyed. She was famous for her fudge and cinnamon rolls. One of her greatest joys was tending to her flowers and she loved to share plants, cuttings, and seeds with her family and friends. After the passing of Robert, she kept busy by learning about the computer and would frequent the local library to attend computer courses. She used her newly found computer skills to dig into her family history and has left her family with a beautiful archive of their ancestry. She also was active in the line dancing community and eventually taught classes at the Collinsville Senior Citizens Center. She was a member of Mother of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Maryville.

A true matriarch and source of unwavering love, she leaves behind a legacy of warmth and kindness. She is survived by her three children: Kathie (Philip) Throm of Collinsville, IL, Dennis (Anna) Bouse of Collinsville, IL, and David (Kim) Bouse of Loudon, TN; seven grandchildren: Angela (Ed) Quinlan, Jason (Emily) Throm, Kevin (Heather) Bouse, Brian (Stacy) Bouse, Joshua Bouse, Spencer Bouse, and Trevor Bouse; five great-grandchildren: Julia Quinlan, Zachary Quinlan, Corbin Throm, Sidney Throm and Elara Bouse; numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at Barry Wilson Funeral Home in Maryville, IL.

Funeral service will follow at 12 noon with Father John Beveridge officiating. Burial will be in SS Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery, Collinsville.

Memorials are suggested to Evertrue Meridian Village for their Memory Support area. They will be received at the visitation or can be mailed to Barry Wilson Funeral Home, 2800 N. Center Street, Maryville, IL 62062.