Jacqueline “Jackie” Rae (Smith) Norvell

Jacqueline “Jackie” Rae (Smith) Norvell, 94, passed away peacefully at her home in Pepin, Wisconsin, early Friday morning, December 27, 2024.
She was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin on November 11, 1930, to Burton and Erma (Newcomb) Smith, the fourth of eight children. Her father was a well-known teacher at La Crosse’s Logan High School from 1928 to 1963. Jackie attended Roosevelt Elementary School and Logan High School, graduating in 1948.
Jackie married Cletus “Jim” Reed Norvell on August 24, 1950, in Kansas City, Missouri and they had two children, a son and daughter.
The majority of their marriage was spent in Missouri and Kansas, living in communities near Kansas City.
After retirement in 1987, the Norvell’s moved to Wisconsin, first living in La Crosse and finally settling in Pepin, Wisconsin where they managed a B&B for a number of years until building a house overlooking Lake Pepin.
In her leisure time, Jackie enjoyed traveling, gardening, cooking (especially for Taco parties), hunting for treasures in local thrift stores and collecting almost anything from toys to glass figurines, teddy bears and especially Dolls (lots of Dolls). Jackie enjoyed her time with fellow “Doll Collectors and was a member of the Winona Doll Club. Her greatest passion was traveling the United States to attend “Doll Conventions”. The last one she attended was in the summer of 2024 at the age of 93 in Seattle, WA. She boarded the Amtrak (her favorite mode of travel) in Winona, Mn. by herself and returned a week later (we did not think we would see her again).
Jackie is survived by her daughter, Leza Underwood of Emporia, Kan.; a granddaughter, Kimberly Divine of Kansas City; a daughter-in-law, Zelda Kranig of Elkhorn, Wis.; one brother, David (Jane) Smith of Pepin; two sisters-in-law, Linda Smith of Bloomer, Wis., and Shirley Smith of Naples, Fla.; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. She also leaves behind her beloved cat Sofia (Sophie).
Jackie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Cletus; her son Robin; her brothers Robert and Daniel; her sister Patricia Connell, Grace Jensen, Margaret Pok and Mary Johnson; and many other relatives and friends.
A private family burial will be held in the future at the Oakwood Cemetery in Pepin.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Burton Smith Scholarship Fund at the La Crosse Community Foundation: www.lacrosseareafoundation.org/give/browse-our-funds/burton-c-smith-scho...
The family wishes to thank the St. Croix Hospice and Cornerstone Caregiving for their exceptional care during Jackie’s final stage of life.
Goodrich Funeral Home in Durand, WI is assisting the family. To express on-line condolences, visit obituaries at www.goodrichfh.com