The Superior Express -

Norman Gene Pletcher was born to Marvin George Pletcher and Mona Evelyn Allen on April 21, 1934. He died Sept. 12, 2020, at the age of 86 years; (4 months and 22 days). He was laid to rest at Home Sweet Home Cemetery of Lebanon, Kan. The service was held at the Christain Church ,Lebanon, Kan., on Sept. 15.

He was born and raised near Lebanon. He married Charlotte Louise Figgins on April 17, 1955. In the military they were stationed in California, Washington and then back to Kansas. He was stationed in Alaska for nine months in the Army. He was in the Army for two years. After returning to Kansas, he reunited with his wife, and managed a Dairy Bar Restaurant in Osborne, Kan. They managed the restaurant for six months. Finally, they settled down on a farm south of Lebanon for several years.

They moved to Mankato in 1962 where he had several occupations. He worked for the REA, Dubuque Packing Plant, a saw mill and Merl Blew’s welding shop. Norman was well-known as “Stormin Norman” for his tree-trimming and removal business. Stormin Norman was a nickname from his National Guard colleagues. He was also in the Army National Guard for 18 years. While in the National Guard, he was deployed in Panama to work on the Panama Canal. In 1992, Norman and Charlotte moved back to Labanon to take care of his parents. Norman continued his tree-trimming and removal business.

Norman and Charlotte Pletcher moved to the Sun Porch Assisted Living in Smith Center on June 15, 2020.

He had many hobbies throughout his life, making cement blocks, bee keeping, raising rabbits and chinchillas, his biodiesel manufacturing and raising large gardens. He would generously give away produce to the local neighborhood.

Survivors are his wife, Charlotte Pletcher; sister, Neta Joy Pletcher; children, Cheryl Jensen, and husband, David, Colleen Girard, and husband, Bob, Lester Pletcher, and Betty Corona, and husband, Jose. He has a total of eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and many other relatives.