Norman L. Wilson

Norman L. Wilson, 80, Topeka, died Wednesday, July 22, 2009 at Homestead of Topeka.
He was born September 18, 1928 in Versailles, MO, the son of Edmund Francis and Mildred Carrie Browning Wilson, and came to Topeka with his family in 1930. He graduated from Topeka High School in 1946, and attended Washburn University and Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.
His father started Wilson Florist in 1930 and Norman worked there until taking ownership of the business. He retired in 1990.
Norman served in the US Navy from 1948 to 1950 in the SeaBees. He was a member of Seabrook Lodge #385 AF&AM, Scottish Rite Bodies 32nd degree KCCH, York Rite Bodies, and Arab Shrine. He was also a member of the Thomas Jefferson Chapter of Sons of the American Revolution, Topeka High School and Shawnee County Historical Societies, Friends of TSCPL, Paddlewheel Steamboatin' Society of America, Kansas Explorers Club, and was Past President of West Topeka Kiwanis Club. Through the Washburn Endowment Association, he was a member of the Lincoln Society and the Whiting Society. He served as a volunteer for the Topeka School District #501.
He married Betty J. Brous on April 7, 1951 at Central Congregational Church in Topeka. She died July 22, 2002.
Survivors include his daughter, Nancy L. (Tim) Brock of Topeka; his son, Randy F. Wilson of Topeka; five grandchildren, Sarah Dahlstrom, Steven Brock, Alan, Bret, and Angela Wilson all of Topeka.
Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel. Interment will be in Penwell-Gabel Cemetery. Norman will lie in state after noon Sunday at the funeral home. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Monday.
Memorial contributions may be made to Capper Foundation Easter Seals, 3500 SW 10th Ave., 66604.