Pete Nors

Pete Paul Nors, age 83, of West, passed away early Wednesday morning, May 18, 2005 at Providence Health Center in Waco. A rosary will be recited 11:00 a.m. Friday at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption by Rev. Ed Karasek. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:15 a.m. Friday at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption, with the Rev. Ed Karasek and Rev. Vincent Chacko, IMS as celebrants. Military graveside rites will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, conducted by V.F.W. Post No. 4819 of West. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Mr. Nors was born on June 28, 1921 in West, the son and youngest of eleven children of Frank and Mary (Bacak) Nors. He joined the United States Air Force and served during World War II as a Staff Sergeant and the 9th Air Force. Pete was in charge of the Mess Hall where all of the soldiers were fed and this is where he met General Patton and his baking career began for him. On June 21, 1943, he married Lillie Mae Janek in Penelope. He worked for Rainbo Bread in Waco for twenty-one years and then owned and operated Nors Bakery in West for several years until his retirement in 1986. He also worked as a farmer and rancher for most of his life. He loved going to all the polka festivals, telling stories to everyone, fishing and spending time with his family. He was a member of V.F.W. Post No. 4819 of West, American Legion, S.P.J.S.T. Lodge No. 66 Linden Hall and a lifetime member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption in West. Two sons, David Paul Nors, who died on August 30, 1956 and Richard Nors, who died on December 22, 1989, precede him in death. Survivors include his beloved wife of 61 years, Lillie Mae Nors of West; a daughter, Patricia Harlin and husband James of West; a daughter-in-law, Sherry Nors of Waco; four grandchildren, Lisa Stewart and husband Dustin, Steve Harlin and wife Julie, Kimberly Hancock and husband Shane and Chris Nors and wife Shelly; four great-grandchildren, Dusty Stewart, London Stewart, Dylan Hancock and Hunter Harlin; and several nieces, nephews and other relatives. Pallbearers will be Steve Harlin, Chris Nors, Shane Hancock, Dustin Stewart, Clarence Janek, Robert Nors, Michael Hutyra and Erwin Janek. Memorials may be made to St. Mary's Parish Center.