Kirkley, Norma J.

Norma J. Kirkley, 78, of 7396 Council St. NE, Cedar Rapids, died Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009, after a long battle with progressive supranuclear palsy. Services: 1 p.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church, Marion, by the Rev. Mike Morgan. Visitation: 4 to 8 p.m. today at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. Burial: Mound Cemetery, Watkins. Military rites by Hanford Post 5.

Immediate survivors include her son, Thomas E. Kirkley of Vinton; a daughter, Carol J. Kirkley of Cedar Rapids; her brother-in-law, Richard A. Knock, and two nieces, Roxanne Stone and Leslie A. Knock, all of Cedar Falls.

Norma was preceded in death by her parents, Harry E. and Christina (Madsen) Hampel; and her sister, Doris A. (Hampel) Knock.

Norma was born Aug. 26, 1931, in Latimer, Iowa, the daughter of Harry E. and Christina Hampel. She was united in marriage to William L. Kirkley on July 3, 1953, on Barksdale Air Force Base, Bossier City, La. They later divorced.

Norma graduated as class valedictorian from Allison High School in 1949. She then served in the United States Navel Reserves from Nov. 9, 1949, until March 13, 1951. She served in the United States Air Force form March 14, 1951, until July 3, 1953. She then served in the United States Army Reserves from Oct. 3, 1973, until Oct. 10, 1975. She was employed by the Department of Defense, Defense Logistics Agency (Defense Contract Management Agency), for 32 years, retiring in 1993 as small business specialist. She was active professionally, serving as treasurer to North Central Small Business Council from 1989-1993. Norma found her work with the Department of Defense to be important and fulfilling.

Norma was an avid sports enthusiast. She followed the Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Iowa Hawkeyes and Chicago Bears with great enthusiasm. She was an avid golfer and bowler as well. She was a life time member of the American Legion, Hanford Post 5, holding various offices, including adjutant and commander. She was particularly active in the Legion baseball and was instrumental in bringing the regional and national baseball tournaments to Cedar Rapids.

Norma enjoyed making a difference in people's lives and had any number of special relationships throughout her life. Among the special relationships that were treasured by her throughout her life were the longstanding relationship she had with the Banks, Fosdick, Huggard, Munson, Stansberry, Gillian, Gouchee and Lucas families. Norma felt it was important to contribute to the well-being of others and to the community as a whole. She will be dearly missed by her family, her friends, and the many individuals and organizations she helped.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Legion baseball: American Legion Baseball, 700 N. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis, IN 46204.

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