Norma Jean Klatt was born in Monroe on January 4, 1938. She was the daughter of the late Otto Klatt and the late Elsie (Heiden) Klatt.

She attended Monroe Public Schools graduating with the Class of 1956. While in school she worked as a cashier for the Kroger Company at their First Street store.

She married the love of her life Benjamin E. Wood on July 21, 1956 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. From this union would come the birth of five children. Norma would balance caring for the need of her family in the home with employment outside of it. For more than twenty-eight years, she worked at the Howard Ternes Company. She retired in 2000 as a line leader.

Norma enjoyed traveling. Over the years she had taken several cruises visiting Alaska twice, as well as the Caribbean, and Hawaii with her sister: Marilyn. She made sure to stop at the closest casino wherever her journeys took her. In her free time, Norma enjoyed bingo, crossword and jig-saw puzzles, and during the warmer months playing aggravation from the comfort of her garage. She was especially fond of her grandchildren, having no favorites, she felt they were all precious.

Norma Jean Wood age 78 of Temperance passed away Thursday, November 10, 2016 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio in Toledo. In addition to her parents her passing was preceded by her husband, Ben on September 23, 2010; a daughter: Jean Marie Stinson; two sisters: Linda Huzarski and Wanda Klatt, six brothers: Herbert, James, Harold, Kenneth, Donald, and Ervin Klatt.

To cherish her memory she leaves four children: Ben (Verna Jean) Wood Jr. of Monroe, Richard (Sherry) Wood of Monroe, Johnny (Trisha) Wood of Ida, and Janice Ann Ybarra of Temperance; a son-in-law: Al Dombrowski of Hillsdale; three siblings: Marilyn Allred of Portage, Indiana, Robert Klatt of Monroe, and Richard (Nita) Klatt of Monroe; twenty-five grandchildren; eighteen great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Friends may gather from 2:00-7:00pm on Monday, November 14, 2016 at Merkle Funeral Service, 2442 North Monroe (734) 384-5185. A Celebration of Her Life will follow at 7:00pm also at Merkle’s with Reverend David Voss and Reverend David Linville pastors of Petersburg Lower Light Church officiating.

Memorial donations for those who desire are suggested to Petersburg Lower Light Church.