Norma Jean Hudson

With family by her side and a long, full life of adventure, determination, and love behind her, Norma J. Hudson peacefully passed away on November 5, 2024, at the age of 95.

The daughter of Burleigh and Mary Alma (Newkirk) Hoover, Norma Jean Hoover was born on July 24, 1929, in Old Strawn, Kansas. Many, particularly grandchildren and great-grandchildren, called her Nana.

A high-school homecoming queen at Burlington High School, Norma was married to Henry (Hal) Hudson for 45 years, as their families joined on June 9, 1979. Hal passed away September 5, 2024. Prior to meeting Hal, Norma married Kenneth Allen; they divorced in 1973.

Norma was a diligent worker, a trait she proudly touted through her numerous stories of coming-of-age during the Great Depression. She worked for many years for the General Motors Acceptance Corporation, Kansas Power and Light, Westar Energy and the Kansas Legislature.

Norma was always on the move, whether working in the yard (no matter what the weather), cleaning her house (no crumb ever made it to the 3-second rule) or slipping out to catch a good sale (a trait which many benefited from as she liked to make sure her family was well dressed).

She was competitive, an active community bridge player who never let anyone win at board games (even when her grandchildren would beg her to let them win!) There was not a moment she missed when it came to all those grandchildren – nine in total. She attended as many activities as she could, from sports to concerts to plays and dance recitals and school events. She also enjoyed rooting for the University of Kansas.

There were always great reasons to visit Norma, but at the top of the list was her cooking. She was an avid cook and drew true joy from her time in the kitchen. She made delicious casseroles, stroganoff, pepper steak, pies, cookies, and brownies. The brownies were well known by many, so much so they would often find their way to Chicago so Barbara Duncan, her son-in-law Tuck’s mother, could enjoy them. There was no food she made that everyone did not enjoy (except maybe those Jello loafs that were popular in the 60’s).

Holidays always came with something special for friends and family, as Easter meant a generous easter bag; Valentine’s Day brought large, homemade heart sugar cookies with names written in frosting; and Halloween was a time to dote on every costume that came to her door, even if she wasn’t quite sure what the outfit was. Christmas was her true joy, not just in decorating and gift giving, but in her love of Christmas music. It was common to visit her in July and hear Christmas music in the home.

Stories were constant with Norma, either because she always had one to tell or you had one to tell about her. She had many tales about growing up with 10 siblings or raising her daughters, Kathy and Kala, or about something she had experienced on one of her many RV trips across America with Hal. There were wonderfully fun stories where she was the star – often she would say you should not tell that story about her, but then end up finishing it for you! Like how her cars often needed brake repair because she liked to “ride” the breaks. Or the time she was with Kala and Kathy in San Francisco and was the recipient of some wayward seagull poo. Or the time she was doing yardwork and accidentally cut a snake in half in a bush, and without flinching said, “That happens sometimes.” The list is endless.

Norma’s favorite color was blue. A fact that, while seemingly random, stands by itself because it truly stood out in her home, her clothing and in many of the things she enjoyed. Once asked why she liked blue so much, she simply responded, “I think it’s beautiful, isn’t that enough of a reason?”

Norma was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers (Larry, Merlin, John, and Howard) and six sisters (Fern, Marjorie, Elva, Janet Sue, Lavon, and Dorothy May).

Norma’s passing is mourned by her friends and family, including daughter Kathy (Tuck) Duncan of Topeka; daughter Kala Allen Hisel of Topeka; stepson Hank Hudson (Jeanne) of Topeka; stepson Mark Hudson (Julie) of Arlington, Virginia; and stepdaughter Laura Calton of Gainesville, Florida.

She also leaves behind nine grandchildren: Spencer Duncan, Ryan Duncan, Lindsay Engleken, Ashey Hisel, Scott Hudson, Rachel Hudson Heisterberg, Kelli Kirkeminde, Joromono Martin, and Lauren Castillo.

She will also forever be remembered by 17 great-grandchildren: Tessa Olorunfumi, Cierra Ransom, Paige Ransom, Amberle Smith, Liam Smith, Connor Heller, Blair Heisterberg, Reece Heisterberg, Finley Heisterberg, Grace Heisterberg, Ava Andrews, Clara Hudson, Conner Kirkeminde, Hadley Kirkeminde, Hudson Kirkeminde, Mara Castillo and Andrew Johnson; and one great-great-grandchild, Gabriel Olorunfemi.

The family will receive friends beginning at 10 a.m., Saturday, November 16, 2024, at Faith Lutheran Church, 1716 SW Gage Blvd, Topeka, KS 66604, where a funeral ceremony will begin at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery, Topeka. Penwell-Gabel Cremations, Funerals & Receptions in Topeka are assisting the family. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in memory of Norma Hudson to Faith Lutheran Church, 1716 Gage Blvd., Topeka, Kansas 66604.

To share a memory of Norma or leave a special message for her family, visit the guestbook below.