Norma Jean Kitchen... Age 85

Norma Jean (Roessner) Kitchen, age 85, a native of Osawatomie Kansas, went to be with the Lord on the 15th day of December 2021 and now is united in heaven with her beloved husband Robert James Kitchen who passed away in 2010.
Norma Jean was born to Frank and Anna (Mantooth) Roessner on May 5, 1936. The family moved to their final homestead on a farm in Franklin County west of Osawatomie, Kansas. She developed polio when she was 16 months old and was left with disabilities that she had to overcome her whole life.
She went to Chestnut Grove Grade school and graduated from Rantoul High School in 1954. She went to work at the Osawatomie State Hospital as a nurse’s aide after graduation, where she worked until 1961. Norma Jean met Robert Kitchen in April of 1956 at the Playmart Dance in Paola, Kansas. They were married on September 30, 1957, at the Homewood Church, in Homewood, Kansas. Robert and Norma Jean began building their Grade A Dairy Farm and family farming operation on John Brown Highway, then began adopting their 4 beloved children and they resided there for over 50 years. She worked at First National Bank of Osawatomie for many years and was a homemaker, raising 4 children. Norma Jean accepted Jesus and was a dedicated follower. She was an attending member of the Green Valley Baptist Church until 1988 where she played piano, was the treasurer, taught Sunday School, and ran their Bus Ministry. Thereafter, they became members of the College Church of the Nazarene in Olathe Kansas where she and Robert were church greeters and members of His Fellowship Sunday School Class for many years. She enjoyed socializing, crocheting, sewing, baking, and traveling with Robert. They were avid fans of antiquing and spending time with family. After Robert’s passing Norma Jean lived for nearly 10 years in Olathe Kansas.

Norma Jean was preceded in death by her parents, and her sister Bonnie Sager.
She is survived by her two sons and their wives and children, Robbie and Beth Kitchen of Shawnee, Kansas (Elisha and Ashley); Randy and Misty Kitchen of Osawatomie, Kansas (Sean, Melissa, Harleigh, Cyrus); two daughters Shelly and husband Scott Sullivan of Kansas City, Missouri (Jacob, Lauren); Jodie Kitchen (Ethan, Maggie, Thomas, Austin, Abigail and Noah); and seven great grandchildren. Niece Teresa Hangartner and Nephew Rod Foster.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the Green Valley Baptist Church Building Fund.