Norma L. Allen

Norma L. (Wasinger) Allen, 82, of Lakewood, Colorado, died Saturday, October 13, 2012. She was born on April 21, 1930, in Hays, Kansas to Frank S. and Mary (Kisner) Wasinger. She married Waldo (Bing) Allen in Virginia in 1953. Survivors include her son, Bruce Allen, Denver, Colorado; daughter, Carolyn Butler, Denver, Colorado; two granddaughters, Sarah Butler, Hawaii and Elizabeth Allen, Atlanta, Georgia;, one brother Gregory Wasinger and his wife Sylvia, Hays, Kansas and one sister, Twila Sweeney and her husband, Tom, Littleton, Colorado; numerous nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; five brothers: Fredolin (Fritz), Linus, Francis (Whitey), Bernard and Elmer James Wasinger; and four sisters: Christine Knoblauch, Marcella Matson, Henrietta Betthauser and Rita Roth. Norma's family share stories of Norma growing up in rural Ellis County. In 1939 her mother died. At age nine Norma took over cooking and keeping house for her father and siblings, ranch hands, and during the later part of World War II, the German prisoners who worked on the ranch. She attended Girls Catholic High School in Hays and was very excited to be chosen as a speaker at her 60th class reunion. She always had a smile and kind words for all she met and never failed to tell someone she loved them, much to the embarrassment of her brother, Greg. She also served as the peacemaker among her siblings and other family members as well as the de facto historian of the family, taking pictures with her little brownie box camera on family trips and many holiday gatherings. She took great joy in being ""Aunt Normie"" to her many nieces, nephews and later grand and great-grand nieces and nephews. She took interest and great pride in all their comings and goings. As the family historian she always kept in touch with cards and could tell you who and where everyone was at any given time. She enjoyed her work in later years as a caterer and gave generously of her time to her family, friends and her sorority, Epsilon Sigma Alpha. She was a lifelong member of the Catholic Church and made many contributions to Catholic organizations, Veterans groups, Wildlife organizations, Boys Town and the Alzheimer's Association. A memorial service will be held on Friday, October 19, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 3101 South Wadsworth, Lakewood, Colorado 80227. A family graveside memorial will be held at St. Joseph's Cemetery, Hays, Kansas at a later date. Please share memories and leave condolences for Norma's family by signing the guestbook.