Norman Henry Kolle, 89, of Clay Center, died Sunday, February 7, 2021 at the Good Shepherd Hospice House in Manhattan, KS. He was born September 20, 1931 at Clay Center, the son of Herman and Anna (Reith) Kolle. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Linn, KS. He attended Immanuel Lutheran School for eight years. Norman worked for many local farmers in the Linn community. In 1949, he entered the U.S. Navy and was stationed at Hawaii and Alaska during the tenure of four years. While in the service, Norman witnessed the detonation of the H-Bomb in Eniwetok in 1952, as he was on the USS Agawam during that time. After his years in the service, he settled in Clay Center, where he worked for Livengood-Siebold Motor Company. Norman then met and married Mariel Ohlde on December 18, 1955. They lived in Clay Center while he worked for Marshall’s, Inc. and Primrose Motor Company before moving to Overland Park where he worked for Mission Ford and Bowman Products. In 1973, the couple moved back to Clay Center and he worked for Ron Thomas Construction, Clay Center Auto Parts and then owned and operated Clay Center Auto and Farm Parts. After his retirement, Norman worked for the Fullington Lumber Company, The Tobacco Barn and Ray’s Apple Market.
Norman was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, where he volunteered when needed, the American Legion and the Clay Center Country Club. He enjoyed attending the Agawam Navy Shipmates Reunion, of which, he was a member for many years. He enjoyed woodworking, fishing, hunting and visiting with family and friends. Norm loved sharing his expertise of gardening and his produce with others.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Debra Ann, his parents, sister, Elda, three brothers, Donald, Delbert and Ronald, two brother in-laws, Darold Jones and Wayne Ohlde.
Norman is survived by his wife, Mariel of the home, daughters, Cynthia Kay (Bob) Olson of Green, KS and Saundra Lea (Joe) McCurry of Wakefield, KS, 5 grandchildren, Aubrianna Marie (Jeremy) Nienhuser of Merriam, KS, Allysa Susannah (Rich) Schurle of Leonardville, KS, Gabriella Nicole (Lance) Stafford of Manhattan, KS, Colby Donovan (Paige) Smith of Booneville, MO and Cassie Danielle (Zac) Laird of Stilesville, IN, 10 great grandchildren, sisters, Betty Jones and Mardell (Leo) Voelker, brother, Robert (Veda) Kolle, sister in-law, Violet Kolle, brother in-law, Leland (Alice) Ohlde and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Memorial Services: Friday, February 12, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Clay Center, KS
Visitation: Thursday, February 11, 2021 from 4-7 p.m. at Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home
Memorials: St. Paul Lutheran Church c/o the funeral home.