Norma Ruth Coughenour, age 91, passed away peacefully December 17, 2018 at Glenwood Village of Overland Park. Norma was born on April 16, 1927 in McPherson, KS to Martin and Laura Clark. She grew up on the family farm in Galva, KS.
She graduated from Galva High School and attended McPherson College where she earned her teaching certificate. She taught in a rural one room school house where she had the pleasure of teaching her youngest brother. In 1949 she was united in marriage to Gaylond H. Coughenour and their union was blessed with four children.
Norma was a life-long member of the New Gottland Covenant Church and was actively involved in all facets of the church life. She served as pianist, organist, Sunday school teacher and financial secretary. She also taught the Menninger Bible Study Couse sponsored by the Menninger Foundation of Topeka for many years.
Norma was proud of her Swedish heritage and took great delight in providing her family with Swedish pancakes, rye bread, Swedish desserts and cookies. She loved decorating for Christmas with her Swedish Christmas Tree and knick-knacks and attending the Swedish “Julotta” service at her church.
Norma was a homemaker and her greatest joy was taking care of her family. When her family was grown she also worked at Ebaugh’s Gifts. She was also an accomplished seamstress and avid gardener. She was a member of the McPherson Garden Club and Friends in Council. Norma enjoyed traveling and had seen most of the United States and parts of Canada.
To cherish her memory, she is survived by her children, Judy Harper (Michael), Eugene Coughenour (Nancy), Janet Saresky (Michael), and Joan Coughenour, and by her four grandchildren and five great grandsons. She is also survived by her brother James Clark (Janice), and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Norma was preceded in death by her husband Gaylond, two brothers, Warren and Vernon, two sisters, Aleda and Lois, and twin great granddaughters.
The memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 5, 2019 at the New Gottland Covenant Church, 1700 Pawnee Rd, McPherson, KS 67460 at 11AM. In lieu of flowers, a memorial may be made to the New Gottland Covenant Church.
