Norman Lee Thonen, 91, of Powhattan, Kansas, passed on to his Heavenly Father and rejoined his loving wife Leona, on 30 November 2016.

Norman was born February 9th, 1925, at his home in Powhattan.  He was a lifelong resident, farmer, and rural mail carrier in Brown County.  He graduated from Powhattan High School with the class of 1943.

He joined the United States Marine Corps on 19 June 1944, attended basic training and then served in the Pacific, seeing action on both Saipan and Okinawa with the 2nd Marine Division.  He was part of the occupation force in Japan, where he served with the Scout and Reconnaissance teams that landed in Nagasaki, Japan.  The Scout and Reconnaissance team’s task was to completely explore and map the island of Kyushu.  He returned to the US and was discharged from the Marine Corps on 25 August 1946.

He returned to farming on the family land south of Powhattan.  He married Leona E. Kneisel of Mericer on September 10th 1949 at Zion Lutheran Church in Powhattan.  They had four daughters:  Janette, Christie, Rosie, and Avis, who survive.

He was a lifetime member of Zion Lutheran Church of Powhattan and served in numerous positions of leadership in support of the Church and congregation.  He was a Charter member of the American Legion Wenger Post #373 of Powhattan, where he served in various capacities.

Norman was a strong supporter of the National Rifle Association, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Kansas State Rifle Association, and other numerous organizations.

Surviving are daughters:  Janette Thonen of Hiawatha, Christie (Paul) McCartney of Hiawatha, Rosie (John) McGinnis of Silver Lake, and Avis Thonen of Hiawatha. Surviving grandchildren are Blaine McCartney of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Jacob McGinnis and fiancée Janet Rickabaugh of Cascade, Colorado, Haley McGinnis of Kansas City, MO, Jackie (Travis) Amon of Holton, KS; and  great-grandchildren: Taylor Rae Kivitter, Chloe Lynn Amon, Rylan Daniel Amon, all of Holton. Also surviving are a brother Lawrence (Donna) Thonen of Hiawatha; a sister Mavis Geiger of Hiawatha; and many nieces and nephews.  

Norman was preceded in death by his wife; parents; and three siblings.

A Celebration of Norman’s life is planned for 10 a.m. Monday, December 5, at Zion Lutheran Church of Hiawatha, with Reverend Michael Dunaway and Reverend Sean Kilgo, officiating.  Interment with military honors will follow at Powhattan Cemetery. Friends may call at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home after 12 noon Saturday.  The family will meet with friends from 3 until 5 Sunday afternoon.

Memorial contributions are suggested to The Lutheran Hour which may be sent in care of the funeral home, 124 S 7th St., Hiawatha 66434. A special message or remembrance may be sent to www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com