Norma Jean Huser

Norma Jean Huser, 86, of Vincent, Kansas passed away on Friday, March 29, 2024, at her home. She was born March 10, 1938, on the family farm at Munjor, Kansas to Melchoir and Cecelia (Unrein) Gabel.  She was a 1956 graduate of Hays High School.  She married Julian R. Huser on August 25, 1956, in Munjor. He preceded her in death on October 15, 2016

Norma Jean was a homemaker and mother. She was a graduate of Purdue University in Dietary Management.  She cooked at St. Joseph Friary, Hays, Kansas for 12 years, and a  cook at Fort Hays State University at the Memorial Union and head baker at McMindes Hall. She was a volunteer and caregiver for Jill’s Helping Hands.

Her memberships included, St. Boniface Catholic Church and St Boniface Christian Mothers both of Vincent, Saint Fidelis Daughters of Isabella and V.F.W. Auxiliary Post # 1751, both of Victoria, Kansas.  

Norma was a devout Catholic and will be remembered for her love of the rosary and commitment to her faith.  She loved to fish, play pinochle, host family card parties and gardening.  She taught sewing for 4-H. She was very well known for her generosity of sharing with others her homemade bierocks, crock pickles and blackberry kuchen.  She was proud of the home she built with Julian and most proud of the family they raised.  Once Julian had passed, her cat, Boots and her dog, Pretty Girl kept her company on the farm.  In August of 2021, she moved to Hays and continued knitting and baking. She touched the lives of many.

Norma Jean is survived by her children, Rebecca Kahler and husband, JR, Kansas City, MO; Bryan Huser and wife, Cindy, Hays, KS; Beverly Brungardt and husband, Keith, Hays, KS; Bonita Philip and husband, Bob, Munjor, KS; Bernadette Fischer and  husband, Jim, Overland Park, KS; brothers, Gene Gabel, her twin and wife, Rita, Munjor, KS; Ernie Gabel, Dodge City, KS; brother-in-law, Bob Augustine, Hays, KS; sister-in-law, Mary Jane Gabel-Thomas, Wichita, KS; grandchildren, David Staab Jr.; Tamara Staab; Brett Huser (Amy); Angela Montgomery (David); Michael Brungardt (Kristy); Sarah Cooley (Brandon); Amy Janzen (Jason); Robert Philip Jr. (Sarah); Thomas Philip; Daniel Philip (Charlotte); Lauren Fischer;  Annie Fischer; 16 great grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Melchoir and Cecelia Gabel; her husband, of 60 years, Julian R. Huser; her brothers, Harold Gabel and Don Gabel; her sisters, Mildred Linenberger and Luella Augustine; her granddaughter, Jessica Ann Staab.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at The Basilica of Saint Fidelis, Victoria, Kansas with celebrant, Father James Moster O.F.M. Cap.  The burial will be at Saint Boniface Cemetery, Vincent, Kansas.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, at The Basilica of Saint Fidelis.

A vigil service/rosary/V.F.W. Auxiliary Memorial will be at 7:00 P.M. Tuesday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials made payable to: Hospice of Hays Medical Center, Humane Society of the High Plains or Capuchin Province of Mid-America, in care of Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.

Condolences can be left on Norma's tribute page at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or can be emailed to clineschaples@gmail.com