Norma Nolte

Norma (Williams) Nolte, 92, passed away on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at her son's home in Lawrence, Kansas.

Norma was the only child of Verner and Doris (Grubb) Williams, born in Coldwater, KS January 21, 1933. Many of the Grubb family members were in the Marquette, Kansas, area, so the Williams family was surrounded by aunts, uncles, and cousins, even as her parents moved around the Midwest following Verner during his military service.

Norma graduated from Great Bend High School in 1950 and made her way back to Hays to attend college, at what is now known as FHSU. Norma truly was swept off her feet by Dean Nolte at the numerous college dances. She learned to dance, and the two of them glided across the dance floor often. She was a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority.

After Dean’s graduation, they married and established their first home together in Cawker City, Kansas. In Cawker, they taught alongside friends from before and during college. They buried their infant daughter, Phyllis Ann, a year before leaving Cawker City to start teaching at Garden City.

Just as they began their journey in Garden City, their first child, Jerre, entered their lives through an unexpected event of abandonment at her parents’ residence in Great Bend. As they grew together as a family, Norma's pregnancy was yet another unexpected event heralded by Beth entering her life after years of failed pregnancies.

Norma dedicated herself to raising her young children through their early years. Norma was the room mother at Garfield Elem, many times in both rooms simultaneously. She was a Cub Scout and Brownie leader for both kids. She and Dean were Sunday school teachers of multiple age groups as well as UMYF sponsors.

As Jerre and Beth progressed into full-time schooling, Norma followed her heart back into teaching through Early Childhood Education, over 10 years at Day Care #1, with her friends. She added to her life a variety of retail experiences and her passion of lecturing for Weight Watchers for 40 years, where she made new friends. She was also active with Faculty Dames, Estralida, Sunshine Gals, Sorority, the Preservation Alliance, the Builders Class, UMW circles, and so many other community organizations.

After Dean's retirement from education, they traveled some and began to experience their children getting married. Jerre married Jalynn in Wichita, KS, on June 27, 1981. Beth married Joe on August 17, 1991, and they raised their own children: Rebecca, Matthew, Jonathan, Nicholas, and Rachel.

Soon after grandchildren were born, the Nolte residence (911 North 7th) became a part of the National Historic District, on Silk Stockings Row.

After Dean’s death in 2004, Norma served on the County Historical Society Board as well as various church boards.

Norma’s circle of friends included people from all walks of life and continued to make friends until her death. She remained active in staying close to her lifelong friends.

Norma was preceded in death by her parents, Doris and Verner Williams, brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Fred and Norma Nolte, and Nita Finke, her husband, R Dean Nolte of 52 years of marriage. Her niece, Erika Downing, followed Norma in death on August 28. She is survived by her son Jerre (Jalynn) Nolte, her daughter, Beth (Joe) Reeder, grandchildren, Rebecca (Alek) Bowles, Matthew (Madison) Nolte, Jonathan (Rae) Reeder, Nicholas Nolte and Rachel Reeder (Sam). She is also survived by four great-grandchildren, Beckett, Cutler and Declan Bowles and Miller Nolte, sister-in-law Nancy (Mike) Schiffelbein and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial has been established for First United Methodist Church, Garden City and VNA Hospice; in care of Robson Funeral Home, 620 N. Main St., Garden City, Kansas 67846.

A book signing will be held on Thursday, September 4, 2025, from 10 A.M. until 8 P.M. and on Friday, September 5, 2025, from 3 P.M. until 8 P.M., at Robson Funeral Home, Garden City.

The Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 10:30 AM at First United Methodist Church of Garden City, Kansas. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery, Garden City.