Nora Jean Price, 93, passed peacefully on November 19, 2025, at Kettle Moraine Gardens Memory Care in Kewaskum, Wisconsin. She was cared for and watched over with love by her family: Carla (Tom) Ewert, Paula (Bob) Kubinchak, Nancy (Walt) Poradish, and Matthew (Chris) Stellmacher.
Nora was born to Holly and Luella Ladewig on March 13, 1932, and graduated from Fond du Lac High School in 1950. While attending the University of Wisconsin School of Music, her talent was recognized, and she was encouraged to become a concert pianist. Deciding she did not want a life of travel, she instead opted for accompanying soloists and ensembles. She studied advanced keyboard technique under both University and nationally recognized instructors and added organ techniques to her skills. She served as organist for Church of Our Savior in Fond du Lac for 14 years.
In 1951, Nora married William Stellmacher, and they joined her parents in the burial vault industry. They had four children: Carla, Paula, Nancy, and Matthew. Always active, she worked at part time jobs in the music world as well as taught a full schedule of piano lessons at her home.
After divorcing William Stellmacher, Nora met and married a family friend, Allan Price in 1975, and added three stepchildren to her family: Pamela, Diane, and Jane. She continued working as a church organist and piano teacher but now added to her list of accomplishments. She, Allan and Mathew moved to Indiana where she continued her musical career as an accompanist for the Indiana choir as well as church organist. In 1985, they returned to Wisconsin, settling in West Bend where Nora spent the next 31 years as a pianist and organist at Our Savior’s Lutheran church.
Nora was also an instrument rated private pilot and spent over 30 years flying extensively over the continental United States, Canada, and Alaska with Allan in their series of airplanes. In later years, Nora tended to her beautiful, abundant gardens and continued as a substitute pianist at her church. Her hallmark playing of “How Great Thou Art” (Arr. Mark Hayes) will be remembered by so many. Her daughter Nancy learned this song in the past year and played a recording of it for her mom on her last day of life. She smiled, and that filled everyone’s hearts. Nora herself played her last Christmas song, “Deck the Halls,” at Kettle Moraine Gardens on her own piano on November 6, shortly before her death.
The world will miss Nora’s enthusiasm, passion for music, and determination but as her granddaughter so wisely said, “It’s time for her to close the sheet music and take her final bow.” May she play on in heaven for eternity.

Nora’s family would like to thank Kettle Moraine Gardens for the exceptional care and love that our mother received while in their care.