Norma Jean (Thorsbakken) Sents (1934-2007)

THORSBAKKEN, ERICSON, SENTS, CLARK, LIPPE, BLUMMER, HORNUNG

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 1/19/2013 at 16:13:48

Norma Jean Sents the daughter of Arthur and Julia (Ericson) Thorsbakken was born September 5, 1934 at Story City, Iowa. She was one of five children born to this union, four daughters and one son: Joyce, Norma, Vernon, Kathy, and Julie. Norma attended and graduated from Alden High School, Alden, Iowa and attended Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa.

On November 12, 1955 Norma was united in marriage to George Sents in Iowa Falls, Iowa. Together they first made a home in Wichita, Kansas, then moved to McPherson in 1961.

From the time they arrived, they found a church family at First Presbyterian Church in McPherson. Always passionate for children’s and youth ministries, Norma volunteered as a cook for youth club, a teacher in Sunday School and Bible School, and hosted bonfires for gatherings. She looked after others as they faced difficult circumstances by serving on the Board of Deacons. Also, she and her husband enjoyed fellowship and friendships with couples in the Mariners Club.

Norma was a homemaker and did clerical work for the District Court at McPherson County Court House. She later became a bookkeeper for Cherry Street Press and was a partner and director of McPherson County Feeders.

Norma was a faithful Christian, loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Her wise counsel, gentle but firm guidance, and gracious smile will be missed by those who knew and loved her. She was very proud of her children and delighted as the families extended with God’s blessings. Norma was especially fond of her grandchildren, always looking forward to their visits and times they would share together. Norma enjoyed playing cards and games with family and friends, working in her yard, reading, and sewing.

Many adults now remember her antics as a Cub scout leader or 4-H project and community leader that brought the message in unusual ways. She served also in E.H.U. Homemaker Club, tutor for the MARC program, Save and Share, and especially touched others in their final months of life on earth as a volunteer with the Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice.

Norma Sents moved on to her heavenly home on Monday, July 23, 2007 peacefully in the company of her children. She died from complications following heart surgery at the Hutchinson Hospital, Hutchinson, Kansas. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband George; a brother, Vernon Thorsbakken, and a sister, Joyce Thorsbakken.

Surviving members of her family include her children: Allan Sents and his wife Deanna, of McPherson, Kansas and their children, Amy and Clarissa of the home, Aaron, US Navy Corpsman, and Eric and his wife Stephanie, of Harrisonburg, VA.; Patty and Steve Whitehurst, of Lee’s Summit, Missouri and their children, Zach and Hannah of the home; Beverly and Mark Clark of Wichita, Kansas and their foster son, Dahkota; and Doris and Darren Lippe, of Leawood, Kansas and their sons, Matthew and Jacob of the home; her sisters, Kathy Blummer, of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Julie Hornung and her husband John, of Norwood, Minnesota; many nieces and nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.

What happens at Grandma’s, Stays at Grandma’s… Card Games… Pack a bag, lets go… Dear Friends… Serving God… All joys of her lifetime, and Ours!

Vistiation will be held on Thursday from 1 to 8 p.m. with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. at Glidden - Ediger Chapel, McPherson, Kansas.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE FOR
Norma J. Sents
First Presbyterian Church, McPherson, Kansas
Friday, July 27, 2007, 10:00 a.m.

CASKET BEARERS
Eric Sents Aaron Sents Amy Sents Clarissa Sents
Zach Whitehurst Hannah Whitehurst Matthew Lippe
Jacob Lippe Dahkota Bosley

HONORARY CASKET BEARERS
Dick Janousek Les Groves Larry Helms Vincent Dale
Mark Heidebrecht Paul Ediger Ian van der Hoeven

USHERS
Delbert Bohn Ronald “Woody” Logback

BURIAL
McPherson Cemetery, McPherson, Kansas

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church McPherson, Kansas or Farmington Children's Home or Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice and can be sent in care of the Glidden - Ediger Funeral Home; 222 West Euclid Street; McPherson, Kansas.