HOISINGTON — Norma L. Smith, 88, passed away October 20, 2021, at her home in Hoisington, Kansas. She was born February 15, 1933, at Great Bend, Kansas, the daughter of George L. and Frances U. (Koelsch) Whitsel, Sr. Norma was a 1954 graduate of Great Bend High School.

On June 2, 1956, she married Morgan D. Smith at Great Bend, Kansas. He survives.

Mrs. Smith was a longtime Hoisington resident. She worked as a retail sales associate for Montgomery Ward in Great Bend and was the secretary for their oil well service, Smith Acid Co. Norma was a former member of the First Christian Church of Great Bend and the Extension Home Unit. She enjoyed gardening, canning, sewing stuffed animals for her kids, and will be remembered for her creative imagination in making up games and her homemade Halloween costumes.

Survivors include her husband of 65 years, Morgan Smith of the home; five children, Michael D. (Debbie) Smith of Hoisington, Randall D. Smith of Fort Worth, TX, Sabrina (Oscar) Mariño of Lawrence, Sonya (Wayde) Brozek of Wamego, and Kevin (Jennifer) Smith of Lee’s Summit, MO; a sister, Dora Jean Gregory of Great Bend, KS; 11 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, George Whitsel, Jr., Melvin Whitsel, Franklin Whitsel; and five sisters, Meda Rankin, Edna Whitsel, Susie Suchy, Lillian Claphan, Josephine “Jody” Young.

Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday, with family to greet friends 6 to 8 p.m., at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, October 25, 2021, at Hillcrest Memorial Park, with Pastor Don Fisher presiding. 

Memorials may be made to Hoisington Church of the Nazarene, Hoisington Police Department or Hoisington EMS, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home P.O. 146, Hoisington, KS, 67544.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home

P.O. Box 146

Hoisington, KS 67544

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Oct. 22, 2021