Norman (Norm) F. Kallaus, 99, died at Oaknoll Retirement Residence in Iowa City on May 19, 2023. Born March 30, 1924, Norm was the eldest of 10 children of his parents, Roy J. and Maude Kallaus (nee Welte), growing up in Richmond, Iowa.
From the age of four years, he was raised by his maternal grandparents and his special uncle, Paul Welte, which had a profoundly positive effect on his life. Norm graduated as valedictorian of the Kalona High School Class of 1941.
Although he dreamed of attending college after high school, tuition was unaffordable, so he took out a loan from a local bank (co-signed by Uncle Paul) to pay for tuition at the American Institute of Technology (AIC) in Davenport. At AIC, he took business courses to develop clerical skills with the intent of earning tuition money to eventually enroll in the University of Iowa.
Despite those intentions, World War II intervened and in March of 1943, Norm was drafted into the Army. He served three years in the 8th Armored Division Artillery where he was deployed to France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.
Interestingly, the clerical skills he acquired at AIC were instrumental in his assignment as a transcriptionist during the Nuremburg War Trials to record the testimonies of the Nazi high command. Overall, Norm viewed his time in the Army as a positive experience because of the life-long friends he made and his exposure to a host of different cultures, which served as a catalyst for his desire to travel.
Most importantly, however, his army service enabled him to purse his educational dreams through the G.I. Bill of Rights. And pursue education he did!
After his honorable discharge at the rank of sergeant in 1945, Norm enrolled in the University of Iowa and received his Bachelor’s degree in Commerce in June, 1949. Immediately thereafter, he received a Master’s degree in Business Education with a teaching certificate for secondary education.
He taught high school for two years in Haywarden and Charles City, Iowa, followed by employment as a systems analyst at Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids. Still longing for a career in education, Norm enrolled in the doctoral program in business at the University of Iowa in 1953.
That same year, Norm experienced another life-changing event: his marriage on July 25 to Alberta (Berta) Sinn of Williamsburg, Iowa. Norm and Berta began their married life in Iowa City where Norm served as an instructor in the U of I College of Business while pursuing his Ph.D.
In 1956, Norm received his PhD and, subsequently joined the faculty in the College of Business. After the birth of their three daughters, Norm and Berta moved to Tempe, Arizona, where Norm served on the faculty of Arizona State University. Later, he accepted a position as a Senior Editor at McGraw-Hill Publishing Company in New York City.
In 1963, the Kallaus family returned to Iowa City and Norm matriculated to full professor in 1967. During his 35-year tenure at the University of Iowa, Norm co-authored five business textbooks and dozens of peer-reviewed articles, supervised over 20 doctoral dissertations and served as a member on over 80 doctoral committees. He retired from the University of Iowa in 1988.
Outside his academic life, Norm had many interests, namely family camping trips throughout the U.S. and travels to Europe with Berta. Music was a special love. He was a self-taught pianist and entertained many friends and family members throughout the years.
After moving into Oaknoll in 1988, Norm and Berta both became involved in their Music Therapy Program and Norm enjoyed participating as a member of the Oaknoll choir: The Oak Notes.
Norm is survived by his three daughters and their husbands: Anne Wallace (William Gay) of Iowa City, Meg Thompson (Brad) of Scottsdale, Arizona, and Clare Phillips (Jeff) of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia; his grandchildren: Jacob Wallace (Courtney) of Englewood, Colorado, Daniel Wallace (Carolyn “Dazi”) of Iowa City, and Hanna Wallace of Iowa City; and two great-grandsons: Benjamin Wallace of Iowa City and Finn Wallace of Englewood; two sisters: Louise Sattler of Tyler, Texas and Angie Hofer of Kalona; a special cousin: Joan Ross of Washington, Iowa; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Norm was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years: Berta; his parents; and siblings: Mary Kathryn Barry, Jane Kallaus, Robert Kallaus, Pauline Hershberger, Thomas Kallaus, Gary Kallaus and Yvonne Spicher Davis.
There will be a rosary at 4:30 p.m. Friday, May 26, at Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service in Iowa City. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 27, at St. Mary of the Visitation Catholic Church with burial immediately afterward at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Iowa City. A celebration of Norm’s life will be held in the Heiden Room at Oaknoll beginning at 2 p.m. on May 27. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the University of Iowa Center for Advancement, c/o The Norman F. Kallaus Excellence in Business Communications Scholarship Fund or the Oaknoll Foundation, c/o Music Therapy Program.
Norm’s family wishes to particularly thank the nurses as well the entire Oaknoll staff for the compassionate care they provided to Norm. Special thanks go out to Meghan Ross (Music Therapy) and Stephanie Tashiro and Lindsey Reed (Recreation Services) for making Norm’s life at Oaknoll
