Plumer-Gobber Funeral Home

12/03/2025

If you are looking for a meaningful gift to give this holiday season we have a great option for you. Our beautiful hand-blown glass angel memorial ornaments are the perfect gift. For questions or to order please call Alyssa at 785-877-5135. Happy Holidays!

11/29/2025

In Loving Memory
Robert P. Speer

Robert Po***ck Speer, 86, of Norton, Kansas passed away on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025, at the Andbe Home. He was surrounded by the people he loved most, his family.

Bob was born on December 4, 1938 in Denver, Colorado to Robert W. and Helene (Kelly) Speer. After graduating from South High School in Denver, he studied sociology and theology, earning his Master of Divinity in 1966 from Chicago Theological Seminary. With a deep love of learning and helping people, he later earned his master’s degree in counseling from Fort Hays State University.
A great devotee of anecdotes and story telling, Bob frequently shared, “a young man once told me that there are two major decisions we make: what we do with our lives and with whom we do it. I got both of them right.”

The first of those two decisions was when Bob married “the most beautiful woman I ever saw," and the love of his life, Rita D. Winbolt, on June 9, 1963 in Hastings, Nebraska, with whom he raised three children, Becca, Allison and Matt.

On their lifelong journey together, Bob and Rita worked in their respective ministries in Glenwood, Iowa; Chicago, Illinois; Hudson, Kansas; and Lenora, Kansas before settling down in Norton, Kansas where Bob made the second great decision of his life - working for Valley Hope. He worked there as chaplain, counselor, and in public relations from 1968 until he retired 43 years later in 2011.

During his decades of ministry, he also served various churches as pastor, including several churches in Western Kansas.

Aside from his time with Valley Hope, Bob committed his energy to the people and projects of Norton, serving on various boards, including the Andbe Home and the Norton Library, as well as being a member of the local Lion’s Club. In his spare time, he enjoyed a variety of artistic hobbies including reading, writing, photography, painting, and drawing. His favorite pastimes also included deep thinking and philosophical and religious conversations for hours on end. Bob cared deeply for people and in recent years told Rita that he simply wanted to be kind to others.

Robert is survived by his wife Rita of 62 years; daughters, Rebecca (Lance) Arterburn of Brady, Nebraska, and Allison (Brandon) Winzurk of Acworth, Georgia; son, Matthew (Michelle) Speer of Basehor, Kansas; grandchildren: Christian (Jordan) Arterburn and their children, Brooks, Greyson, and Whitlee; Kaleb Arterburn; Madyson (Quinten) Chancellor with their expected baby; Annabella and Lillyanne Speer; Jordan Winzurk and Zac (Aleah) Winzurk and their son Noah; and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dick and Terri Winbolt. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Helene Speer.

Mass of Christian burial will be held 10:30am Friday, December 5, 2025 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Norton with lunch following in the Catholic Parish Hall. A private family inurnment will be held at the Norton Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Valley Hope or Care Beyond the Boulevard and may be sent in care of Plumer-Gobber Funeral Home, 215 W. Main St., Norton, Kansas 67654. Condolences may be left at www.plumergobber.com.

“The angels are welcoming one of the best: Robert Speer. Beloved Pastor and friend.” -Nancy Hagman

11/11/2025

In Loving Memory
Dixie J. Hejny

Dixie Joyce Hejny (Hawks) born March 21, 1935, age 90, of Norton, KS, passed away peacefully on November 7, 2025. Born on March 21, 1935 in Almena, KS, she was the daughter of John and Mabel (Drommer) Hawks, Almena, KS. Up until the end, Dixie maintained her kindness, grace, compassion, appreciation of beauty, love of family and friends, and expressed gratitude for her long life, full of wonderful and varied experiences.

Dixie had a long and successful career as a telephone operator. She was a 50-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She enjoyed watching sports, especially KU basketball, traveling with her friends, and teaching songs and language games to her grandchildren. Dixie was married to George "Blackie" Hejny, who passed away on February 14, 2024. They were married for 38 years.

Survivors include son, Deyton Hager, Cambridge, NE; daughter-in-law, Julie Campbell, Norton, KS; sister, Georgie Rorabaugh, Salina, KS; stepchildren: Doug Hejny, Daniel (Jenny) Hejny, Robert Hejny and Gina (Howard) Cartmill; grandchildren: Bill (Souk) Campbell, Chantille (Katie) Campbell, Dixie Star (Kyle) Campbell, Derick (Holly) Campbell, Stephanie (Jesse) Hilburn, Alec (Audrey) Hager and Mason Hager; great grandchildren: Asheton, Rory, Kaylee, Jance, Stetson, River and Delaney, and many beloved, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Debra Sue Campbell, Salina KS; son, Darin Campbell, Norton, KS and grandson, Riley Hager.

Graveside inurnment will be held at 1:00 pm Friday, November 14, 2025 at the Mt. Hope Cemetery, Almena. Memorial contributions may be made to Plumer-Gobber Funeral Home, 215 W. Main St., Norton, KS 67654 to help with final expenses. Condolences may be left at

Plumer-Gobber Funeral Home in Norton, KS provides funeral, memorial, aftercare, pre-planning, and cremation services to our commun... Learn More

10/30/2025

In Loving Memory
Brian Dean Hunter

Brian Dean Hunter passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at the age of 59. He was born on May 20, 1966 in Lincoln, Nebraska to Jerald and Betty (McCormack) Hunter.

Brian grew up in Lincoln and graduated from Northeast High School. He worked for Fleming Foods as a truck driver and Sapp Bros and Shoemakers as a fuel delivery driver. In 2011, he moved to Des Moines, Iowa to work for the Phillips 66 terminal and later went to work at the Wichita, Kansas terminal. He lived in Wichita until he moved to Norton, Kansas and passed away at Norton County Hospital. Brian started the Little Sahara Sand Rats group and page in 2017 in Waynoka, Oklahoma. They currently have over 21,000 members. Brian had a rare gift of connecting with others — he never met a stranger and was known for his warmth and easy-going nature. Whether you were a longtime friend or someone he had just met, you could always count on Brian to make you feel welcome and valued. His sense of humor was enjoyed and will be missed by all who knew him.

Brian is survived by his parents, Jerald and Betty of Lincoln, NE; one sister and brother-in-law, Nancy (Hunter) Arehart and Don Arehart; two nieces, Megan Arehart and Jessica (Arehart) Ninemire, all of Norton, KS; one nephew, Scott Arehart of Lincoln, NE and their families.

The family would like to thank the Norton County Hospital staff and Dr. McKinley for their wonderful care. Also, thank you to all of Brian’s friends for the calls and visits over the past two years. A special thank you to the ones who took Brian on trips, Dune rides, and welcomed him into their homes.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am Monday, November 3, 2025 at the funeral home. Burial will follow in the Norton Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3-5:00 pm Sunday, November 2, 2025 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Brian Hunter Memorial Fund and sent in care of Plumer-Gobber Funeral Home, 215 W. Main St., Norton, KS 67654. Condolences may be left at

Plumer-Gobber Funeral Home in Norton, KS provides funeral, memorial, aftercare, pre-planning, and cremation services to our commun... Learn More

10/11/2025

In Loving Memory
Suzann F. Maddy

Suzann Fern (Sidman) Maddy passed away peacefully on October 7, 2025 in her home in Greeley, Colorado surrounded by family members.

Suzann F Maddy was born May 4, 1934 at their farm home near Oronoque, KS and was the daughter of Paul Sidman and Dorothea Faye (Burd). She was raised on a farm 7 1/2 miles West and 1 mile south of Norton, Kansas. Her siblings include Gene Sidman (deceased), Warren Sidman and Eric Sidman.

Her father Paul, who loved music, instilled that love for music in Susie as she learned to play the piano and clarinet. In 1951 she graduated from Norton Community High School and in 1952 married James A. Maddy of Norton, KS at a church in Selma, Alabama. They lived together while Jim served in the air force at Craig Air Force Base near Selma. In 1954 Jim was discharged from the Air Force and they moved back to the Maddy family farm with their first son, Steve. The family grew quickly to 5 kids including Steve, David, Cindy, Duane and Rod.

Susie was fun loving and a hard worker, as she helped with all the family operations including farming, livestock and later their growing family custom harvesting business. As their harvesting business grew, she would stay home in the summer and take care of the farming and cow-calf operation while handling all the family record keeping. She was also a great cook delivering many homemade meals to their crew and family members working in the field.

Together with her family, she participated in 4-H, pheasant hunting, taught piano lessons, all while keeping the family members on schedule with their activities. Her interests included playing classical and ragtime music on her Wurlitzer piano. She enjoyed traveling the world sometimes with her best friend Marlene Wilmot and daughter Cindy.

In 2011, She moved to Greeley, Colorado and spent much of her time traveling the southwest to Bluegrass Festivals with her two corgis, Charlie and Phoebe. She would travel many times back and forth from Greeley to her Norton home and visit her beloved friend Shirley Newell.

She is survived by sons: Steve, David and wife Patsy, Duane, Rod and wife Tammy and daughter, Cindy Abend; 9 grandchildren including: Kara Miller and husband Aaron, Lucas Maddy, Katie Gualtieri and husband Charles, Christopher Maddy and fiancé Savannah Smith, Marisa Maddy, Molly Thrailkill and husband Ryan, James Donahey and wife Amelia, Kelly Donahey and husband Zebulon Zang, Ryan Maddy and wife Angel, Kristen Fahrenbruch and husband Kiel and Cassandra Padia and husband David Sanchez; great grandchildren: Olivia, Madeline, Jacob and Charlotte (parents Kara and Aaron Miller), Hayden, Logan, Lincoln and Ledger (parents Katie and Charles Gualtieri), Caroline and Colin (parents Kristen and Kiel Fahrenbruch), Antonella and Beckham (parents Ryan and Angel Maddy), and Caleb, (parents Cassandra Padia and David Sanchez). She is also survived by her brothers: Warren Sidman and wife Iona, Stuttgart, KS and Eric Sidman and wife Beverly, Norton, Kansas.

Graveside services will be held at 1:00 pm on Sunday, November 2, 2025 in the Norton Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Norton County Historical Museum, 105 E. Lincoln, Norton, KS 67654. Arrangements by: Plumer-Gobber Funeral Home, Norton. Condolences may be left at

Plumer-Gobber Funeral Home in Norton, KS provides funeral, memorial, aftercare, pre-planning, and cremation services to our commun... Learn More

10/10/2025

Many of us have or know loved ones with dementia. Caregiving can be tricky. The article below address some good ways to become an effective caregiver.

It’s a tough job, but there may be more help than you think

10/07/2025

Make time today to start planning your final wishes. Call us today to begin.

10/03/2025

Thinking of all those who have fought, have beat and are still fighting breast cancer.

09/30/2025

Whether moving or just looking to clean up a house or space, decluttering can be a good thing. The following article gives some best practices and places to start.

Whether your loved one is moving to a smaller home, transitioning to senior living or simplifying their lifestyle, it's important to be empathetic and supportive during this often emotional process.

09/26/2025

We make the work of planning your final wishes easy. Call us today to begin.

09/23/2025

Born on this day in 1926, John Coltrane would become one of the iconic jazz performers and composers of the 1950s and 1960s, before ultimately dying at the young age of 40.

Provided to YouTube by Rhino AtlanticMy Favorite Things (Stereo) (2022 Remaster) · John ColtraneMy Favorite Things℗ 1961, 2021 Atlantic Recording Corporation...

09/22/2025

In Loving Memory
Bryce C. Stephens

Bryce Charles Stephens, 77, of Jennings, KS passed away September 18, 2025 at Stormont Vail in Topeka, KS. He was born July 26, 1948 in Colby, KS to Andrew and Rosalia (Meitl) Stephens.

Bryce grew up in Allison Township and was a 1966 graduate from Leoville High School. After high school he joined the United States Army, serving during the Vietnam War era as a Helicopter Crew Chief. When he returned, he attended Wichita State University where he received an Associate of Science in Legal Assistant in 1979, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in May of 1981, and then attended Washburn Law School for one year. Bryce married Linda Davis on May 21, 1978 in Oklahoma. He was interested in Biodynamic Agriculture, seed preservation, and bison ranching. You would often find him reading, researching his family heritage and legacy, or fixing and repairing machinery and equipment. He was an advocate for Lakota and Cheyenne Native American Rights and Social Justice. Bryce was a member of the Organic Crop Improvement Assn., Demeter Assn., Central Plains Organic Farmers Assn., Midwest Organic Producer, Decatur Coop, and Prairieland Electric.

Bryce is survived by his wife, Linda; children: Bryan and wife Katherine Stephens-Gerry, Roselin Lee, Crystal Stephens and partner James Wacker, and Demetria Stephens and fiancé Kevin Namba; grandchildren: Elliot and Rose Stephens-Gerry, Jayden and Jackson Lee, Roy Wacker, and Roxana Stephens-Namba; siblings: Greg and wife Julie Stephens, Paul Stephens, Pete Stephens, Mark and wife Linda Stephens, Gerard and Sue Stephens, Tom and wife Dawn Stephens, Leo and Shawn Stephens, Rose and husband Galen McFarland, and Therese and husband Chris Strobel and many other relatives and friends.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 am Monday, September 29, 2025 in the St. Joseph Cemetery, New Almelo, KS. A visitation will be held before the service at 10:00 at the New Almelo Gymnasium. Memorial contributions may be made to Bryce Stephens Legacy and sent in care of Plumer-Gobber Funeral Home, 215 W. Main St., Norton, KS 67654. Condolences may be left at

Plumer-Gobber Funeral Home in Norton, KS provides funeral, memorial, aftercare, pre-planning, and cremation services to our commun... Learn More