Norma Jean Rodgers

Norma Jean Rodgers, 82, passed away Thursday, October 7, 2010 at her home in Lansing, KS. Services will be 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, October 12th at the Chapel Hill-Butler Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. The family requests that any contributions be made to Fairmount United Methodist Church or Kansas Special Olympics. Jean was born December 5, 1927 in Kansas City, KS to Harvey and Dorothy (Oliver) Smith. She was a lifelong area resident, graduating from Wyandotte High School in 1944. She was a Special Education Teacher for Welborn Elementary School for 33 years, retiring in 1996. Jean received her Bachelor’s Degree from K.U. in 1972, and her Master’s Degree from K.U. in 1980. She was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority, and a member of the Silver Sisters for 25 years. Jean was a founding member of KAMO Itasca Camping Group, a member of the American Hot Rod Association, Daughters of Mokanna, NEAU, Eastern Star, and she was also a member of the Fairmount United Methodist Church in Basehor, KS, where she was active in teaching Sunday School and leading Children’s Church. Jean loved camping and fishing, and she had been a Special Olympics Coach and Sponsor since 1978, helping organize that group in the Kansas City Area. She was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Robert E. Rodgers when he died in 1988. Survivors include 3 children, Shari Rodgers-Hansen of Lansing, KS, Bob Rodgers of Tonganoxie, KS, and Craig Rodgers and his wife Paula of Olathe, KS; 5 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Arrangements are under the direction of Chapel Hill - Butler Funeral Home, 701 North 94th Street in Kansas City, KS, (913) 334-3366.