Norma Marie (Matteson) Johnson was born June 14, 1928, on the family farm in Greenwood Township, Phillips County KS. to Milton Wesley and Louisa Elizabeth (Abbott) Matteson and departed life on July 21, 2022, In Phillipsburg, KS.

She was the middle sibling of 3 children to grow up on the family farm north of Gretna, Ks.

Her early years found her attending various rural elementary schools: Plumber (grades 1-2), Snow (grades 3-4), Crow (grades 5-6) and Plumber (grades 7-8).  The schools were over a mile from home which was walked each day.  When weather was bad, their dad would walk with them.  Norma graduated from Phillipsburg High School with the class of 1946.

Upon graduation from High School, Norma went to work for SW Bell Telephone Co in Phillipsburg, KS.  It was soon after this on December 28, 1947, that she was united in marriage to (Merton) Neil Johnson on the family farm.

After marriage, the couple moved several times, living in the Holben Apartments in Phillipsburg, in Kensington, on the John Hauver farm NW of Agra, and on the Cannon place north of Phillipsburg before moving to the Robinson place.   It was in 1969, when moving to the Robinson place, they first had running water.

Norma was a homemaker who enjoyed sewing, gardening and drawing.  She helped with milking cows and other farm duties and in 1968, started driving a school bus for USD 325 which she continued until 1993. It was in 1993 that Neil and Norma moved to Phillipsburg.  She and Neil were married 61 years until Neil's death in 2008

Although not big travelers, the couple enjoyed trips to Jamaica and Mexico which were sponsored by Rangeland Cooperative.

Norma was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother that was very caring and supportive and would never complain about anything.  She was never about material things in life.  She always loved cooking for guests and making cookies for the grandkids and great grandkids before they came to visit and was always up for a game of Dominos and Sorry with them.

Norma was a woman of strong faith and lived her life as a servant of the Jehovah Witness Church.

Norma was preceded in death by her husband, Neil; parents, Milt and Louisa Matteson; mother and father-in-law, Floyd and Ruth Johnson; sister, Lois Smith; brother, Roscoe Matteson; sister-in-law, Frances Matteson; brother-in-law, Clarence Gould; brother-in-law, Wayne Johnson; sister-in-law Ella Johnson, brother-in-law Dean Johnson and grandson Weston Johnson.

Survivors include her sons Craig and wife Jan of Phillipsburg; Blane and wife Jill of Wray, CO.; grandchildren: Dustin Johnson and wife Amy of Phillipsburg; Danielle Landen and husband Jeff of Alma, NE.; Allison Bohall and husband Treece of Grand Junction, CO.; Arika Luedke and husband Eric  of Holyoke, CO.; great-grandchildren: Dakota and Madison Johnson; Isabella, Cord, and Clancy Landen; Hannah, Lane and Britt Bohall; Link, Lindyn and Lakyn Luedke; brother-in-law, Bennie Smith of Smith Center, KS. and sister-in-law, Juanita Gould of Arleta, CA; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Cremation was chosen.  A memorial service will be held Thursday, July 28 at 10:00 a.m. in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with Randy Elder officiating. The service will be streamed live on the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel Facebook page. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery.

Friends may sign the book from 9:00 to 9:00 Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Never Flinch Foundation or Hospice Services.