Norman R. “Normie” Dogs


Norman R. “Normie” Dogs, 73, of West Bend, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009, at Beechwood Rest Home of natural causes after battling Alzheimer’s disease for the past seven years.

He was born on Aug. 11, 1936, in Mayville, the son of the late Peter and Evelyn (nee Giese) Dogs, and on Sept. 16, 1961, he was united in marriage to DuAne Etta at St. Lucas Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kewaskum. The couple made their home in Mayville until 1969 when Normie, DuAne and their family moved to West Bend.

Normie was a graduate of Mayville High School. In 1964, he started his career in the car business with Klinka Olds. Over the next 33 years, he made many friends working for Schwartzburg Chevy-Olds and other dealerships. He retired in 2002. Known as “Mr. Oldsmobile,” it has been said that he sold more Oldsmobiles over the span of his career than any other salesperson in Oldsmobile history.

Normie began playing the accordion in 1947 at the age of 11 and started his first band in 1952 at the age of 16. His bands (Normie Dogs & the Melody Boys and the Normie Dogs Trio) entertained polka fans for over 50 years. In addition to playing for hundreds of weddings, anniversaries and private parties, Normie played throughout the Midwest at Polka Festivals and dances. He was a regular at the New Glarus Hotel and Essen Haus in Madison. On occasion he organized travel tours to Europe for his fans where he and his band performed. In Normie’s heyday, his band played up to 80 dates a year. He recorded numerous records and CDs, many of them containing original songs. He was rewarded for his lifelong love of polka music by being inducted into the Polka Hall of Fame in November of 2001.

In addition to his love of polka music and Oldsmobiles, he also was the founding father of the Kettle Moraine Klassic Kar Klub, where he served as president. He enjoyed antique cars and owned numerous classics throughout his life. His other interests included spending time with his family and grandchildren. Normie was a member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in West Bend.

Normie will be remembered for his kindness, honesty and sense of humor. When Normie was around there was always sure to be laughter and a good time. He made many life-long friends that – to this day – are more like family than friends.

Those Normie leaves behind to cherish his memory include his loving wife of 48 years, DuAne; three children, Carey (Eric) Flanders of Kewaskum, Jody (Joel) Schriever of Brooklyn and Kory (Sarah) Dogs of Kewaskum; nine loving grandchildren, Austin, Hunter and Keaton Flanders, Kyler and Gretta Schriever, Mikayla, Carson, Madilyn and Colton Dogs; a brother, William Dogs of Beaver Dam; two brothersin-law, Daniel Moll of Mayville and Perry Etta of Kewaskum; a sisterin-law, Judy Etta of the town of Wayne; nieces, nephews, other relatives and numerous close friends.

In addition to his parents, Normie was preceded in death by a sister, Jeanette Moll; a sister-in-law, Janet Dogs; and a brother-in-law, Ethan Etta.

Funeral services for Normie will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in West Bend. The Rev. Guy Roberts will officiate and private burial will be in Boltonville Union Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call on Saturday at the church from 11 a.m. until the time of services.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

Normie’s family would like to send a heartfelt thank you to all of the special people at the Beechwood Rest Home for the loving care they gave Normie and his family during the course of his stay. You will never be forgotten and words cannot express the gratitude we have for all of you have done.

The Miller Funeral Home in Kewaskum has been entrusted with Normie's arrangements. www.millermartinfh.com.


“Some people march to a different drummer – and some people polka.”
Ein Prosit, Ein Prosit, der gemiitlichkeit.