Norman G. Severns

Norman G. Severns, 90, Marysville, died February 4, 2018 in Overland Park, KS. Visitation is Thursday, February 8, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Kinsley Mortuary. The family will receive friends 5 to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, February 9, at the First Christian Church in Marysville. Burial will be in the Marysville City Cemetery. Norman was born on a farm southwest of Marysville, on December 3, 1927, to Eck and Constance (Wetzler) Severns. He attended grade school at Deer Creek, and graduated from Marysville High School in 1945. After completing a one-year course, in six months, at National Business Institute in Lincoln, NE, he returned to Marysville and worked at Anderson-Boss Motor Co. until October 1950, when he was drafted into the Army. He served two years, including service in Japan and Korea, where he received the Japanese Occupation Medal, the Korean Service Medal, and a Commendation Ribbon with Metal Pendant for outstanding service as Battalion Personnel Sgt, with an Artillery Battalion from Enid, OK, as part of the 45th Infantry Division. Following his return from service, he was employed at Exchange Bank of Schmidt & Koester, and the Citizens State Bank for nearly 55 total years. He was married to Velma Sedlacek Seidl on November 15, 1959. Together they raised 3 children, David E. Seidl, and Wesley A. Seidl, and Ann L. Severns Hoelting. After 51 years of marriage, Velma passed away 7 years and a day earlier on Feb. 3, 2011. Norman was a member and elder of First Christian Church in Marysville, the Masonic Bodies of Marysville, for over 65 years, where he served in many offices and was a Past Master. He was a member of the VFW and the American Legion where he was a Past Commander. He belonged to the Kansas Bankers Association for over 50 years, and was treasurer of USD #364 for 15 years, in the days before computers. Many referred to Norman as a walking encyclopedia, calling on him for his amazing recall of generations of names, family lineage, dates, property ownership, and a variety of other details and trivia. In his working years, Norman was also referred to as a “professional pallbearer” as he served for many of his family and friends. Upon retirement in his late 70s, he continued to help others with personal and business matters, provided transportation to airports and out-of-town doctors, delivered Meals On Wheels several times a week, washed many dishes at the Senior Center, and continued to serve on boards and as a treasurer for numerous community organizations and various events. He was diagnosed with bladder cancer in late 2014, and fought the battle well thanks to the KU and Shawnee Mission Medical Centers. He moved to Overland Park, KS, in early 2017 to be closer to his doctors, and his daughter and her family. Norman was happiest when serving his community, taking care of others, baking cookies, and getting a meal on the table for family or friends. Besides his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his sister, Margaret Rogers of Topeka. Survivors include sons David (Joanne) Seidl of Enid, OK, Wesley (Janet) Seidl of Garber, OK, and Ann (Albert) Hoelting of Shawnee, KS; grandsons, Brian Seidl, Colorado Springs, CO, Kevin Seidl, Enid, OK, Edward Seidl, Garber, OK, and Albert Hoelting III, Shawnee, KS; and granddaughters Amanda Vegoren, Garber, OK, Michelle Honeywell, Billings, OK, Abigail and Amelia Hoelting, Shawnee, KS, in addition to six great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the charity of your choice, the Marysville High School Alumni Scholarship Fund, or Marysville First Christian Church. Contributions may be sent in care of Kinsley Mortuary. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Norman G. Severns, please visit our flower store.