Donald Lee Norden, son of Henry D. & Ida H. (Dettmer) Norden, was born August 12, 1932 in Phillips County, Kansas, and passed away Thursday, December 1, 2016 at his home in rural Kensington, Kansas at the age of 84.

On April 15, 1956, he was united in marriage to Loretta Ann Farris in Kensington, KS. The couple was blessed with four daughters: Jeri, Sue, Connie and Jackie. Don & Loretta were fortunate to celebrate 60 years of marriage together in April of this year.

All of Don's life was centered around farming the land and raising livestock. He and Loretta worked side by side for 59 years raising their cow/calf herds, farrowing hogs, doing their own butchering, and growing and selling potatoes. In later years he enjoyed tending to irrigating his corn & hay crops. For many years they also sold Vigortone Feed. This additional income allowed them to get off the farm once in a while, winning trips to Acapulco, Hawaii, and Universal Studios in Florida. They were also recognized by the feed company with their own Vigortone sign.

In addition to the chores on the farm, Don spent many years working alongside his brothers drilling water wells around the area, where he became an accomplished water witcher, and was still witching water a year ago.

Don & Loretta taught their daughters the meaning of hard work and responsibility, as well as instilling in them a great sense of pride for farm life, the growing of crops, and raising and caring for animals.

Don was a wonderful husband and father who worked tirelessly to provide for his family. He was always available to lend a hand to anyone needing help. He loved his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and cherished the time he was able to spend with them.
He will be greatly missed by his family, neighbors and many friends.
Preceding him in death were his parents; two brothers, Floyd and Wilbur Norden; and two infant twin granddaughters, Emma and Cora Hunter.

Survivors include his wife, Loretta; his 4 daughters: Jeri Hunter & husband, Bob, of Kirwin; Sue Roush & husband, Kelly, of Lebanon, KS; Connie Ortgies & husband, Brian, of Hastings, NE; and Jackie Swatzell & husband, Eric, of Phillipsburg, KS; 15 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Lelia Grauerholz of Kensington, KS.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, December 6, 2016 at the St. John's Lutheran Church, Kensington, with Pastors Lorna Paulus & Joel Hiesterman officiating. Burial will follow in the St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Kensington.

Don will lie in state from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday & 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, 1115 2nd Street, Phillipsburg, KS 67661. The casket will remain closed.

Memorial contributions may be made to the church or Hospice Services.