Retired Sgt. Norman Gene Pletcher was born to Marvin George Pletcher and Mona Evelyn Allen on April 21, 1934. He passed away Sept. 12, 2020, at the age of 86 years, four months and 22 days.
He was born and raised near Lebanon, Kansas. He married Charlotte Louise Figgins on April 17, 1955. He was in the Army for two years, serving in California, Washington, and then back to Kansas. He was also stationed in Alaska for nine months. After returning to Kansas, he reunited with his wife, and managed a dairy bar restaurant in Osborne, Kansas. They managed the restaurant for six months. Finally, they settled down on a farm south of Lebanon for several years.
They moved to Mankato, Kansas, in 1962 where he had several occupations. He worked for the REA, Dubuque packing plant, saw mill and Merle Blew's welding shop. Norman was well-known as "Stormin Norman" for his tree-trimming and removal business, a nickname from his National Guard colleagues.
Norman was in the Army National Guard for 18 years, serving as a member of the 995th Maintenance Company in Mankato. While in the National Guard, he was deployed in Panama to work on the Panama Canal. His son, Lester, worked at the Maneuver and Training Equipment Site and retired from the Kansas National Guard.
In 1992, Norman and Charlotte moved back to Lebanon to take care of his parents and continue his tree-trimming and removal business.
Norman and Charlotte moved to the Sun Porch Assisted Living in Smith Center, Kansas, on June 15, 2020.
He had many hobbies throughout his life, making cement blocks, bee keeping, raising rabbits and chinchillas, biodiesel manufacturing, and raising large gardens. He would generously give away grown produce to the local neighborhood.
Those that celebrate his life are his wife, Charlotte Pletcher, sister Neta Joy Pletcher; children Cheryl Jensen and husband (David Jensen); Colleen Girard and husband (Bob Girard); Lester Pletcher; and Betty Corona and her husband (Jose Corona). He has a total of eight grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and many other relatives.
On-line condolences can be left at https://www.simmons-rentschler.com/obituaries/Norman-Gene-PletcherobId=18314300