Nora "Norie" Jean Lietz

Nora Jean Lietz, age 98, of Paxico, Kansas, passed into the arms of Jesus on Saturday, September 5, 2026.

She was born May 28, 1928, to Frank and Emma (Richter) Gehrt in rural Alma, Kansas. Nora was baptized June 24, 1928, and confirmed on April 6, 1941, at Trinity Lutheran Church in McFarland. She attended the local Hinerville Grade School and graduated from Alma High School in 1945. She attended Clark’s Business College in Topeka and worked for a short time for the League of Kansas Municipalities and Topeka State Bank.

She was married to Merle Lietz on May 2, 1948, at Trinity Lutheran Church in McFarland, Kansas, where they were active members all their lives. Nora and Merle owned Lietz Construction Company for more than 70 years. She served as the bookkeeper and secretary of the business. They spent their entire married life in the same home on Vera Road east of Paxico. They were blessed with 71 years together.

Norie, as she was known, was active in the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and served in various offices at the local, zone and district levels. She was a Sunday school teacher as well as a VBS teacher and superintendent. She also served as the funeral dinner chairman at Trinity. Nora and Merle were active in the Lutheran Laymen’s League for many years as she supported Merle who served as an officer in various roles. They traveled to 48 consecutive International LLL Conventions at various states in the USA and Canada, making that their annual vacation. They considered those years some of the best of their lives and made lasting friendships. Nora was a 4-H club leader for 10 years as well as the sewing leader for Maple Hill Hustlers 4-H. She was a 50-year charter member of Vera Extension Homemakers Unit which later became known as the Vera Roadsters. She always enjoyed their activities, and they finished each one with an ice cream treat. She was also a member of Gideon International and the Flint Hills Gideon Auxiliary.

Nora and Merle were blessed with three daughters, Sheryl (David) Meier, Maple Hill; Jean Anne Lietz, Topeka; and Linda (Tom) Stanton of Hutchinson. She is also survived by grandchildren: Cara (John) Brooks, Carisa Meier, Peter (Megan) Meier, Mendy (Jason) Brady, Rebecca (Jared) Wolfe, Nathan (Autumn) Stanton; great-grandchildren: Kylie (Jakob) Jasperson, Joshua Brooks, Liam Meier, Brecklyn Meier, Makayla Brady, Mason Brady, Walker Stanton, Hayden Stanton, Logan VanMeter, and soon to arrive Baby Stanton. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Norman, Art and Hank Gehrt and her sister, Bernice Gehrt, and grandson Curtis Meier.

Family was very special to Nora, and she loved to host family gatherings and holidays, as well as community and church dinners. All of these were memorable occasions for her as she used her gift of hospitality.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Monday, September 14, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church in McFarland, Kansas. Reverend Robert Grimm will be officiating. The family will greet friends at a visitation prior to the service beginning at 10:00 am. A lunch will follow the service, and burial will be held at 1:30 pm at Bethlehem Cemetery, east of Paxico on Snokomo Road. Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, McFarland or Lutheran Hour Ministries and may be sent in care of Campanella and Stewart Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.campanellastewart.com.