Norman Whitten Sr.

Norman Lee Whitten, Sr., 93, of Grand Island, died Tuesday, November 7, 2017, at Wedgewood Care Center in Grand Island.



Funeral service will be 10:30 am Saturday, November 18, 2017, in Gollaher Chapel at Trinity United Methodist Church with Reverend Kelly Karges officiating. Burial will follow at Rosedale Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7 pm Friday at Apfel Funeral Home in Grand Island. The family requests memorials be made to the family for later designation. Online condolences may be directed to www.apfelfuneralhome.com.



Norman Lee was born April 30, 1924, in Shubert, Nebraska, the son of Wilmer and Maude (Noah) Whitten. He grew up in various small towns in Nebraska. He graduated from Lewiston High School.



Norman married Loretta Viola Reeder on December 29, 1954, in Wood River, Nebraska. The couple made their home in Wood River, and later relocated to Grand Island. He worked for the City of Wood River for 40 years, along with many years in construction. He worked for the Grand Island Public Schools as a bus driver, custodian, and worked many years as a crossing guard at Dodge Elementary.



He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Platt-Duetsche Society, Eagles Club, where he held many offices. He was also a member of the Wood River Volunteer Fire Department for over 40 years.



Norman enjoyed woodworking, gardening, reading, and watching Westerns, and spending time with his kids and grandkids.



Norman is survived by seven children: Francis (Jackie) Smeall of Omaha, Bill (Sue) Smeall of Bellingham, WA, Dorthea Fairbanks of Nebraska City, NE, Ron Smeall of Chehalis, WA, Norman Lee (Penny) Whitten, Jr. of Grand Island, Joyce (Tim) Hargens of Grand Island, and Dianna (Randy) Kepford of Bellevue, NE, daughter-in-law: Jan Smeall of Olathe, KS; 26 grandchildren; 49 great grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; along with many other relatives and friends to cherish his memory.



He was preceded in death by his parents; wife: Loretta of 50 years, all of his siblings; son: Don Smeall, Sr., and son-in-law: Richard Fairbanks.