Norma Jean Stinnett

Norma Jean (Burch) Stinnett, 80, of Emporia, entered Heaven peacefully on Sunday, April 19 surrounded by her family in spirit and love.  Norma was born on March 12, 1940, in Emporia, the daughter of Jarvis and Anna (Brewer) Burch.  She attended school in Council Grove for many years before the family moved to Wichita where she graduated high school, met her husband Gene Stinnett and began to build a life that would include three children together. Eventually returning to Emporia, Norma attended Kansas State Teachers College and embarked on a career in bookkeeping, along with raising her family following divorce.

Norma started her professional life in accounting with Schulte, Klein, Gaeddert & Agler, CPA Firm before transitioning to a long career with the Emporia Unified School District.  Her role as the Clerk of the Board of Education and Insurance Risk Manager garnered life-long friendships with co-workers, bosses and community members, over 33 years before her retirement in 2010.  She was also the Historian for the school district, maintaining archives that dated back to the mid-1850s.  Her love for cooking made her locally famous throughout the community with her award-winning chili at the annual Chili Days.  Her name appears frequently on plaques at the district’s central office.

Throughout her career, Norma held leadership roles in many professional organizations and service clubs as well as her church.  She joined the Emporia Charter Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association in 1977 and was named Woman of the Year in 1979.  Her time with ABWA saw her serve as President and value her opportunities to be involved with local scholarship award programs.  Norma enjoyed serving as the treasurer for the Lions Club and Emporia Area Retired School Personnel and she remained an integral part of the USD 253 School Board after retirement.

As a dedicated life-long member of the First Baptist Church, she loved singing in the choir, held many different positions in the church, and, after retiring from the school district, worked as the church secretary.  Her faith was incredibly strong, and she valued her church family.  Norma’s greatest joy was being with family and supporting her children and grandchildren in every way.  She especially loved watching her son, Gary, compete at the drag races.

Her heart will live on in her children: Ricci Balkenhol, Gary Stinnett (Joyce), Lori Siebenaler (John) and her nine grandchildren: Ryan Balkenhol (Jennifer), Lyndsey Kucza (Jacob), Kathryn Balkenhol (Ian), Christopher Stinnett, Chad Stinnett (Sarah), Jason Stinnett (Shannon), Levi Lapping, Kori Rael Lapping and Teagan Lapping.  She will live on in memories for her nine great-grandchildren: Ansen, Corbin, Holden, Henry, Maggie, Lincoln, Blake, Brendan and Brayden.  Her life was full of love with many cousins, nieces, nephews and wonderful in-laws, all of whom she considered forever family.

Norma is survived by two sisters: Kathleen Dalton (Fred) and Christy Schreck, both of Emporia.  She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Alfred Earl Burch, sister Mary Ann Ryer and son-in-law Barry Balkenhol.

Cremation has taken place and a memorial service to be announced.  Condolences may be sent to Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home and memorial contributions in her honor to First Baptist Church, 801 Constitution, Emporia, KS 66801.