Norma Jean Whistler, 90, spread her wings to heaven, while at home with family by her side on January 2, 2023. Norma, also known as “Nortie Jo Mona” by her husband (whom she called “Jeremiah Dinglepop”), “Momma” by her children..and her husband in later years, “Grandma” by her grandchildren, and “Gigi” by her great-grandchildren.
Norma was born to Floyd and Myrtle Glenn on May 1, 1932, in Norton Kansas. She was the oldest of 5 children: Donald “Sonny” Eugene, Anita Joyce, Jerald “Jerry” Lee, and Larry Dean (who died at birth).
As a child her Grandmother Scarlett and her Grandmother Glenn, as well as her cousin Creta Mae Eppinger, took her to church. There she began to grow her faith and she became a christian at 9 years old at Tent Camp. Her faith continued to grow bigger year after year! She lead bible studies, attended Anderson College in Indiana, taught Sunday school and was the youth director. Her love and Christian burden was always with the youth and she worked with them on local, district, state, national and international levels.
While attending church activities as a child, she met her future husband, J.D. Whistler. While she was in Junior High, and he was in High School, he would walk her home from school. He knew pretty quickly that she was the one, having never had any interest in anyone else. When she left for Anderson College in the fall, letters just didn’t fill the void she left behind. So, he followed her to Anderson College, against his parents wishes, where he attended school to be closer to her. They dated from 1948 until they were married on June 27, 1952. They then moved to Manhattan so that J.D. could attend Kansas State College. From September 1952 - June 1958, Norma worked at Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance to put J.D. through school. He majored in Architecture and Architectural Engineering, and minored in Civil Engineering. She always said she received her PHT degree: Put Hubby Through College Degree. If that wasn’t enough, she was also raising their two small children during the same time.
Norma loved Jesus and her faith was inviolable. It is the foundation upon which she’s built her life. She loved to entertain, congregate, celebrate, and support others. She chose simple over flashy and was deeply sentimental. With a passionate spirit, a determined grit and a smile, she will be remembered as a brave warrior who embodied courage. She laughed and cried and supported and encouraged and prayed for all of us. She truly loved the way Christ loves. And for some, she was the closest example of Christ’s unconditional love for us all." Her soul touched our lives in the most beautiful ways, ones we will never forget.
Norma is survived by her daughter, Connie Blake and husband Sandy; son, Ron Whistler; a brother-in-law, William G. Whistler Jr. and his wife, Jaqueline; granddaughters, Mandy Danforth and husband, Phil, Megan Hedberg and husband, Jon, Katie Parton and husband, Lucas; and grandson, Travis Whistler and wife, Shelby; great-grandchildren Kirsten Hedberg, Blake Danforth, Mason Blake, Lilliana Whistler, Avery Hedberg, Ashlynne Whistler, Kennedy Parton, Harmonie Whistler, and Huxley Hedberg. She also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews and extended family and dear friends.
Visitation for Norma will be held Saturday, January 14, 2023 from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM at the McGilley & Hoge Johnson Chapel, 8024 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park, Kansas, followed by the Funeral at 11:00 AM. Entombment in Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, 8321 Quivira Road, Lenexa, Kansas 66215.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcgilleyhoge.com for the Whistler family.
