Norma Jean Kackley Whitley Nelson, age 88, of Jamestown, KS, passed away at her home in rural Jamestown, KS on Friday, July 17, 2026. She was born on November 23, 1937, in rural Courtland, KS, to Marvin A. & Edith (Kempton) Kackley.
She graduated from Courtland grade school and high school in 1955. She attended the Brown Mackie School of Business in 1956. She worked for the state highway department until she married Bob Whitley on June 22, 1957, and they moved to Kansas City, MO. They lived in various communities such as Damar, KS, Courtland, KS, Jamestown, KS, until he preceded her on June 1, 1973. Norma and the kids moved to Salina, KS, in August 1974. She married Duane Nelson on August 9, 1975, at the Jamestown United Methodist Church, and they moved back to Jamestown in 1980. Duane preceded her in death on May 21, 2024.
Norma worked for Montgomery Ward Warehouse in Kansas City, worked for Robinson Brick in Damar, KS, assisted in the field at the farm and worked as a chapel attendant for Blachly & Buoy Funeral Home in Jamestown. She was a member of the Jamestown United Methodist Church and later the Jamestown Community Church.
Norma is survived by her children, Robert Whitley (Bonnie), Goddard, KS, Randall Whitley (Gail), Jamestown, KS, Russel Whitley, Wichita, KS and Renee Davis (Scott), Jamestown, KS; grandchildren, Brandon, Dustin, Tyler, Randall, Levi, Xanadu, Desiree, Matthew, Yeoman, Taylon, Meechie, Kayla, Jessica, Ashley, Kirstin & Erin, 35 great grandchildren & numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
She was preceded by her husbands, Bob Whitley and Duane Nelson, her parents and sisters, Enid McMenomey, Neva Harbaugh and Ruth Walker.
The family selected cremation, and a memorial service will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 1, 2026, at the Jamestown Community Church, with Pastor Al Paredes officiating. Burial of the cremated remains will be at the Danish Lutheran Cemetery, rural Jamestown, KS. Friends may sign the register book on Friday, July 31, 2026, from 1-8 p.m., with the family greeting friends from 6-7 p.m. at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, Concordia. The family suggests memorials to Jamestown Community Church in care of the funeral home. For online condolences, please visit www.chaputbuoy.com. Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, 325 W. 6th St., PO Box 606, Concordia, KS 66901, has been entrusted with arrangements.
