Norma Jean Beightel, 90, of Rifle, Colorado passed away Friday, April 5th, 2019 at E. Dene Moore Care Center. She was a 30 year Breast Cancer survivor.

Norma was born on May 9, 1928 in Southgate, California to Nolah A. and Blanche E. (Narance) Stanton.

As a child, they moved to St. Joe, Missouri and then to Atchison, Kansas. Norma worked alongside her father, who later retired from Blish-Mize Hardware Warehouse.

In 1948, Norma met the love of her life, Merrill Eugene Beightel. They married on January 23, 1949 in Holton, Kansas.

After Gene managed A&P grocery stores in Eastern Kansas, they moved to Emporia, Kansas, where they owned and operated Gene’s IGA for 15 years. Norma was their meat cutter. They then owned and operated Gene’s Quik Lube for 6 years, where they sponsored several stock car teams. She also worked at Reebles South Grocery Store as a meat cutter.

She enjoyed jitterbugging, square dancing, and camping around the many Kansas lakes and spent many summers with the family at the Lake of the Ozarks, boating and waterskiing.

Norma was a loving mother, grandmother, and was a friend to everyone she met. She was loved by everyone that she met throughout her 90 years.

After retirement, Gene and Norma celebrated 50 years of marriage, spending winters in Wellton, Arizona. After Gene’s passing, she continued to go to Arizona, with her friend, Glen Bazil.

Merrill “Gene” preceded her in death in 1999. Her sisters, Ruby Olds (Ronald) and Vera Burnett (William) and her brother, Edward “Bud” Stanton also preceded her in death.

She is survived by her son, Gregory (Greg) Beightel (Teresa) of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, daughter, Teresa (Terri) Breslin (James) of Silt, Colorado and 2 grandchildren, Sierra, Cheyenne and numerous Beightel relatives.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 Saturday, April 13th 2019 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton, Kansas. Family will greet friends and relatives at 9:30. Burial will be at Olive Hill Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com