Norma Barnett

Norma Marie Barnett, 93, of Overland Park, KS passed away on September 4th, 2022, at home.   She was born February 17th, 1929, on the family farm in Hiawatha, KS to Emil and Frieda (Puvogel) Middendorf.  She was washed by the waters of baptism on March 24, 1929, at Zion Lutheran Church, Hiawatha, and received into full Communion by the solemn rite of confirmation on May 23, 1943, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Fairview, Kansas.

She started elementary school at Euchre Creek #32.  In 1936 the family moved to Powhattan, KS.    She then attended the Plum Creek Elementary School, graduating in 1942.   She attended Powhattan High School  her first two years of high school.  In 1944 the  family moved to Fairview, Kansas,  where  Norma graduated from Fairview High School in 1946.  She then moved to Kansas City to take courses at the Kansas City Secretarial School, completing her studies in 1947.  She was subsequently employed by Avon Products and Commerce Bank Corp in Kansas City.

On January 9, 1954, she was married to Gerald (Jerry) Barnett at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Kansas City, Kansas, while he was serving in the U. S. Air Force.   They lived in San Antonio, Texas, while Jerry completed his tour of duty.   During this time Norma worked for the USAF Air Transport Command in San Antonio.

They returned to Kansas City, Kansas in December 1954.  In 1960, Jerry and Norma moved to Overland Park, KS.   In 1959 Norma was employed by the General Services Administration in Kansas City, before moving to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Data Processing Center in Kansas City in 1985.  Norma retired from the USDA in  January 1995, having completed 47 years of employment in the public and private sector.

Her greatest joys in life: a mother to her  two sons, Brian, and Philip, and being grandmother (Nana) to her two grandchildren, Hannah, and Thomas Barnett.

Norma was an active member of Bethany Lutheran Church since 1962, serving in the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League for over 50 years; she was chair of the Rebekah Circle for several years  and Secretary for  the Church Council from 1990-1996.

Norma enjoyed gardening and her Overland Park home, yard, deck, and porch was always filled with beautiful plants and flowers.  She enjoyed attending Kansas State Football games for many years, as well as cheering on the hometown Kansas City Chiefs and Royals.   Norma also enjoyed spending time with family and friends and going on road trips with Jerry to visit family and see the sites along the way.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Harlan, Walter and Melvin Middendorf, sisters Wilma White, Dorothy Wiehn and Ruth McDaniel.  Survivors include:

Husband, Gerald; sons: Brian Barnett, Wamego, Kansas, Philip (Jennifer) Barnett, and grandchildren: Hannah (Robin) of Ayden, North Carolina, Thomas Barnett, Wilmington, North Carolina;  sisters:   Betty  (Dennis) Underwood;  Shirley (Bond) Faulwell, Overland Park, KS; Delores (Leroy) Lehmkuhl, Holton, Kansas, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, October 14 with visitation at 10 a.m. and service at 11 a.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, 9101 Lamar Avenue, Overland Park, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests that those who wish to express sympathy consider making a donation to Bethany Lutheran Church School