Norma Louise Kunda, Ph.D., 71, of Wheaton, IL, was welcomed into the everlasting arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, March 23, 2025. Born on May 25, 1953, in South Bend, IN, she grew up in Mishawaka, IN, Highland Park, MI, and Rockford, OH. Her passion for languages emerged early, as she started learning Spanish in third grade. She excelled in high school, graduating as valedictorian and serving as yearbook editor. Norma went on to earn her B.A. in 1975 from Eastern Michigan University, where she qualified as a Spanish and German language teacher, followed by her A.M. in 1977 and her Ph.D. in Spanish from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in 1984. While in graduate school, she met Eugene Kunda, the love of her life, through InterVarsity Christian Fellowship; they were married on December 11, 1982. She taught university students at UIUC and, after completing her doctorate, at Southwest State University in Marshall, MN. Additionally, she provided translation services for businesses and the courts.

Gene and Norma were provided a family by God's providence through the adoption of Andrew from birth in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, in 1986, and Laura at three months old from Bogotá, Colombia, in 1989; most significantly, she completed their adoption paperwork. Her love for languages shaped her life, enriching the education of Andrew, Laura, and many homeschooled children of our friends. Norma joined Gideons International with her husband and served in several Auxiliary positions, joyfully sharing the message of her Savior with others. A lover of travel, gardening, knitting, and embroidery, she crafted artistic gifts that reflected her creativity. Norma was faithful, creative, intelligent, and wise—my bedrock foundation.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Norman and Margaret Smith, and her younger half-sister, Russell Gary (by her father). She is survived by her husband, Eugene Kunda; her two children, Andrew (Molly Scullen) Kunda and grandson Flynn of Waterloo, IA, and Laura Kunda of Wheaton; her older half-sister, Sharon Thatcher (by her mother); her younger half-brother, Norman Smith (by her father); and was also cherished by many sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

A visitation will be held on Friday, March, 28, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton, IL 60187, where a celebration of Norma's life will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. The service will be livestreamed beginning at 10:00 a.m. CST through this link: Funeral Service for Norma Kunda . Interment will follow at Wheaton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to Gideons International , an organization close to Norma's heart, reflecting her passion for sharing God's Word.