Norma Lee Muhlach, 86, of Mendota passed away peacefully on September 18, 2017 in Rockford, surrounded by her loving family.

Funeral services will Friday at 11:00 a.m., in the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota with Deacon Vincent Slomian officiating. Burial will be in Restland Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:30-11:00 a.m., Friday in the funeral home.

Norma Lee was born October 14, 1930 in Sublette to Claude and Euna (Thompson) Hotchkiss. She married Leo Muhlach December 9, 1959 in Ashton.

She grew up in Ashton and graduated from Ashton High School where she would later work as a secretary. She met her husband and lifelong love Leo Muhlach when he took her senior high school picture. For decades they worked side by side to establish the well-known Leo's Studio in Mendota. Norma Lee's real education, however, was largely self-applied. A self-taught naturalist and genealogist, Norma was a resource to generations of family researchers who knew they could call on her for her help (delivered with a patent smile and laugh). It was this commitment to research and classification that she applied to her other great loves as well—art and music. A true Renaissance woman, Norma Lee refurbished antiques, enjoyed playing the piano, and was an avid bird watcher. Within her community, she worked with Leo to create and curate The Muhlach Photography Collection at the Carnegie Museum in Mendota. Norma Lee was a thoughtful, generous, and truly happy person who was always quick with a smile, laugh, and friendly word. She created wonderful memories (especially at Christmas) for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who survive her.

She is survived by her son, William Leo (Twila) Muhlach, Murphysboro; daughters Susan Kay (Mark) Widloski, Maryville, TN;  Lisa Ann McDonnell (Pat Bachrodt), Belvidere; grandchildren Michelle (Brian) Hoying, Herzogenaurach, DE; Tara (Matthew) Sellers, Arlington Heights; Brandon (Aubrey) Muhlach, Louisville, CO; John Widloski, Berkeley, CA; Bryant ( Fiancé Brittany) McDonnell, Newport, KY; Katie Widloski, New York, NY; Evan Widloski, Maryville, TN; great- grandchildren Benjamin and Elliot Hoying; Noelle and Holden Sellers; sister Wanda Sue Weishaar, Ashton and brother Ronald George (Delores) Hotchkiss, Rockford.

She was preceded by husband of 61 years Leo Albert Muhlach in 2011.

Memorials may be directed to Hume-Carnegie Museum in Mendota or Heartland Hospice in Rockford.