Norma Jean Kerschen Nana Simon

Norma Jean Kerschen “Nana” Simon Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister, passed away on Monday, September 17, 2018, after a long and joyous life with her family and friends. She will forever be remembered for her welcoming personality, her hospitality and style, but above all for her deep affection and devotion to her husband, children, and her loving grandchildren. Nothing made her smile as much as holding a baby. Norma was an outstanding cook and had many specialties which she passed on to her children and grandchildren. Each of her granddaughters could make her chocolate chip cookies and she would always tell them they tasted as good as hers. She was born in Andale, KS almost 90 years ago and attended Andale High School and studied at Wichita University. She was preceded in death by her parents, Margaret and Tony Kerschen; her identical twin sister and life-long best friend, Betty Jean Breitenbach Fahrbach; her sister, Eileen Hinds; and her sons, Bill Simon and Chris Simon. Norma is survived by her husband, Freddy, with whom she celebrated 71 years of marriage; daughter, Sue Wilcox; sons, Rick Simon (Jana) of Omaha, NE, Randy Simon (Alice), Jon Simon (Betsy) of Wichita; daughters-in-law, Sally Simon of Wichita, Laurie Simon of Lawrence, KS; brother, Eldon “Bud” Kerschen (Virginia) of St. Louis, MO; 17 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren. Recitation of the Rosary will be at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 19, 2018, at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary. Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, September 20, 2018, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established at Guadalupe Clinic, 940 S. St. Francis, Wichita, KS 67211.