Norma Jean Schuetz, 77, of Hiawatha, KS died Tuesday afternoon, October 17, 2023 at the Hiawatha Community Hospital where she had been a patient for a short time. She was previously a resident of Vintage Park in Hiawatha.
Norma was born October 21, 1945 in Falls City, NE to Cecil and Lela Wetzel Buckminster. She married Frank Schuetz February 3, 1963 in Falls City. He preceded her in death February 5, 2018.
She worked at Flair Fold Wood Fabrication Plant in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Frank and Norma would own and operate Walt & Jane’s bar in downtown Hiawatha from 1975-1982. She then went on to earn her GED and continued her education at the NEK Technical College graduating with a Medical Office Assistant Degree. She worked for Hiawatha Family Practice in medical records before continuing her work with Amberwell, retiring in 2015.
Norma was a social butterfly and loved to visit with friends. She never met a stranger.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a daughter; Paula Hartley and a sister in law; Jane Buckminster.
Survivors include a son; Alan and wife Connie Schuetz of Fieldon, Illinois, three brothers; Marvin and wife Sue Buckminster of Falls City, NE, Marc and wife Lori Buckminster of Wahoo, NE, and Richard Buckminster of Preston, NE, grandchildren; Emily and husband Spencer Banks of Topeka, KS and Kayla and husband Josh Stalker of Kansas City, KS, and 5 great-grandchildren.
Funeral Services are planned for 2 p.m. Thursday, October 19, 2023 at the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hiawatha. Pastor Richard Lehmkuhl will officiate. Interment will follow at the Mt. Hope Cemetery in Hiawatha.
Friends may call at the funeral home after 12 noon Wednesday. Family visitation will be held from 1 pm to service time on Thursday.
