Norma Showman

Norma Lee Showman, 89, former Wichita Fire Department Dispatcher and Sedgwick County Clerk's Office Real Estate Clerk, passed away Sunday, May 20, 2018 surrounded by her loving family. Visitation 6-8:00pm, Wednesday, Funeral Service 10:00am, Thursday, both at Broadway Mortuary. Preceded in death by husbands, Harold A. Coon and Robert L. Showman; parents, Edger and Mabel Brasier; daughter, Carol Jean Gray and sister, Thelma Jean Plant. Survivors include her daughter, Shari Bacon; sons, Harold L. (Gloria) Coon, Kenneth (Susan) Coon and Scott (Nancy) Coon; 15 grand, 34 great-grand, 25 great-great grand children and 1great-great-great-grandchild. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice. Share condolences at www.CozineMemorial.com. Broadway Mortuary.

This life story was written by Norma many years ago...

I was born Thursday, December 6, 1928 at home, 349 S. Hydraulic. Mother's doctor was a lady, Orrella Smith. When we lived at 1617 S. St. Francis our neighbor was Toomey. Mrs. Toomey's father lived with them, he had a long white beard and I would sit on his lap and comb it and he would give me peppermint candy. Their son Dean was about 5 or 6 years older than me and he was carrying me on his shoulder and he dropped me on the sidewalk and he would tell people that was what was wrong with me. I went to Harry Street School, Hamilton Intermediate, East High, Every place we lived we had real good neighbors. As a teenager I worked for Woolworth, (torn down and bronze park there now) Grants both 5 and 10 cents stores, Tilford drug store. We belonged to Westminister Pres. Church. After Harold and I were married I worked for the Stable steak house across from Beech aircraft. if needed Harold would help. A neighbor Charles had a restaurant, Elpyco and Harry, and I would help him when he needed someone. Harold and I worked for the Post Office for 9 years at Christmas.

This is in the Wichita Fire Department book... Coon, Norma Lee - Born Dec. 6, 1928, Wichita, Kansas. Married Harold A. Coon. Appointed to the dept. as a switchboard operator with 5 dependents Oct. 3, 1961, Height 5'2", weight 100 lbs. Promoted to Radio Dispatcher Dec. 1, 1966. Resigned Sept. 21, 1968. Book 2 page 292

I stayed home and helped Harold with his business and Kenny and Harold Lee were in the service. I spent a lot of time with grand kids. I also enjoyed crocheting, knitting, and ceramics. Shari, Lisa, Regina and the rest of m family would get involved: there was always something going on at our home. After Harold had his stroke I worked for the Osteopathic Hospital on Central and McLean in the office part time. Mother was retired and she would come over an sit with Harold. After Harold died, I worked for Seneca National Bank from 1976 to 1977 and then Heights High School 1977 to 1978. I then worked at the Court House in real estate records, Feb. 14, 1978 to Dec. 28, 1984 followed by the Lancer club 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. and also took reservations from 5-7-81 to 4-2-84. Married Bob Jan. 4, 1985, his 1st wife Waunetta and Harold were cousins so I had known Bob since I was 14. They had done a lot of camping and Bob asked me if I would like to go camping also. W had 10 years of camping before we had to give it up. Lots of fun and met a lot of great people and saw a lot of neat places. Bob had a workshop over the garage and he would cut out dolls, ducks, etc. and I would tole paint them. We also enjoyed playing Rumey-Q with Scott and Nancy. Bob and I started doing Genealogy in about 1994 and enjoyed going to Oklahoma and around here at court houses, libraries, and cemeteries. After Bob died, my girl friend Gerri from Calif. came here a couple of times and we went to Missouri, Illinois, and Oklahoma. We found a few thing for both of us, just being together was fun. We went to school together but in the 1950's she moved to Calif. with husband and kids. Scott, Nancy and I went to Wisconsin and then Illinois and we found my great Uncle Frank Brasier's grave, in Metamora, Ill but could not nind Great-Grandma Margaret Brasier's grave, then we went to Quincy, ILL and wd did find Great-Great Grandparents LAKE. We still go to cemeteries and towns.

This is on my BUCKET LIST to finish this journey.  (NLB)