Norma Lea (Gaulding) Mitchell, 95, of Hutchinson, Kansas, died on August 10, 2024.  She was born in Nottinghill, Missouri, on September 14, 1928, and grew up in Neosho Falls, Kansas.

Norma taught in a one-room schoolhouse at the early age of 16 on an emergency war teaching certificate.  Her father drove her to Pittsburg State Teacher's College each summer to have enough hours to keep her teaching certificate until what would be her senior year which she spent on campus.  Upon graduating, Norma moved to Hutchinson and taught third grade at Avenue A Elementary School.  She married Bill Mitchell in 1956.

Norma is preceded in death by her husband Bill, her parents Albert and Verda Gaulding, her two brothers Bernard and A. I. Gaulding, and her sister Jody Williams.

Norma is survived by two daughters, Derenda Mitchell (Seth Valerius) and Mollie Mitchell (John Wilson), four grandchildren (Will Valerius and Margaret, Madeline and Lawrence Meier), and many loving nieces and nephews.

Norma was a good teacher, a loving wife and mother, and a valued volunteer in the Hutchinson community.  She was also an extraordinary gardener and homemaker.  Many people have enjoyed her flowers, especially her red roses on her white picket fence.

Graveside service will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 17, 2024, in Memorial Park Cemetery, 5905 West 4th Ave., Hutchinson.  Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday, with the family present from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary.  The casket will remain closed.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Trinity's Tiny Treasures or Salthawk Community Support, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS  67501.