Obituary for Norma Reusser

Norma Ruth Reusser

September 21, 1928 – February 2, 2019

Norma Ruth Reusser of Blackwell, Oklahoma, died Saturday evening, February 2, 2019, in the Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas, at the age of 90 years.

Norma Ruth Reusser was born on September 21, 1928, in Blackwell, Oklahoma, to William C. and Elsie Martin Latschar. She grew up in Deer Creek and graduated from Deer Creek High School in 1946. She furthered her education by attending Bethel College in North Newton, Kansas, for a year before marrying Eugene C. Reusser on July 20, 1947, in Deer Creek. They settled in Deer Creek where she helped her husband with the farming operation. They later returned to North Newton, Kansas, where Eugene completed his bachelor’s degree at Bethel College. Following graduation, the couple moved to Fairfax, Oklahoma, where he began his coaching and teaching career. While in Fairfax, the couple began their family with the birth of their three sons, Steve, Ted and Jim. In 1956 they moved to Pretty Prairie, Kansas, for about two years before returning to Blackwell for one year, and then Deer Creek for seven years where Eugene taught and the couple farmed. In 1966 they moved to North Newton where Eugene taught and coached at Bethel College. During this time, Norma returned to school and received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education. The family then moved to Wakita where she taught in the Manchester Schools for three years. In 1970 the family moved to Blackwell to make their home, and Norma taught kindergarten for nineteen years at Northside and Parkside Schools until retirement in 1989. She also served as the accompanist for many elementary school programs. After her retirement from Blackwell schools, she taught pre-school offered by the Presbyterian Church for several years. Her husband preceded her in death on August 2, 2010, and she continued to make Blackwell her home before moving into assisted living in Ponca City.

She was an active member of the Deer Creek Mennonite Church, served as the church organist, and also directed a junior and senior choir for several years. They later attended First United Methodist Church in Blackwell where she played the organ for various services and often sang in the choir. She was a member of A.A.U.W. and served as a C.A.S.A. advocate following her retirement from elementary education. She enjoyed playing the organ and piano, and various handcrafts including quilting, crocheting and cross-stitch. She loved fellowshipping with her coffee group and having lunch with friends.

She is survived by three sons, Steve Reusser and wife Susan of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Ted Reusser and wife Susan of Wichita, Kansas, and Jim Reusser and wife Bobbye of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; six grandchildren, Kevin Reusser and wife Kim of Ponca City, Liz Black and husband Kevin of River Falls, Wisconsin, Ricky Reusser and wife Christia of Oakland, California, Erin DeRee and husband Aaron of Wichita, Kansas, Clay Reusser of Stillwater, and Ben Reusser of Irving, Texas; and five great grandchildren, Kennedy and Kash Reusser of Ponca City, and Isaiah, Micaiah and Ezra Black of River Falls, Wisconsin.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and two sisters, Fern Watson and Lois Butler.

A memorial service is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., Monday, February 11th in the First United Methodist Church in Blackwell with Rev. Susan Rice of the First United Methodist Church in Newkirk officiating.

Burial will be in the Bayard Cemetery in Deer Creek.

A memorial has been established in her honor with the Blackwell Public School Foundation in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.