Norma Karhoff

(From Carson-Wall Funeral Home)

Dr. Norma I. Karhoff, 87, of Emporia, formerly of Parsons, died at 4:30 P.M., Saturday, March 30, 2019 at the Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka.

She was born August 13, 1931 at Edina, MO, a daughter of Lawrence and Elma Jane (Davis) Karhoff. Her family moved to Labette County in 1932 and she attended schools there. She received her B.S. from Pittsburg State University, her M.S. of Science from Kansas State Teacher’s College at Emporia and her Ph.D. from Ohio State University. Throughout her career she taught at the Neodesha High School, Emporia State University from 1959-1967 and later was a professor at Ohio State University and at the University of Illinois. She retired in 1996 and moved to Emporia in 1998.

She was a member of the Didde Catholic Center and the Secular Franciscan Order. She was also a member of the Costume Society of American, the International Textile and Apparel Association, and volunteered with several groups.

Survivors included: one brother – C. Mark Karhoff, Rural Parsons, KS; one sister – Mary Gilreath, Augusta, GA; several nieces and nephews, including Mark Karhoff, Girard, KS, Charles Karhoff, Parsons, KS, Denise Gilreath-Schultz, Ettich, WI, Dennis Gilreath, Augusta, GA, Norma Sue Karhoff, Paola, KS, David Karhoff, Oswego, KS, Rick Karhoff, Oswego, KS, Misty Almond, Parsons, KS. She was preceded in death by two brothers – Bernhardt Karhoff and Beryl Karhoff and an infant sister – Doris Rose Karhoff.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M., Thursday, April 4, 2019 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with Fr. Curtis Robertson officiating. Burial will be in Springhill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7:00 until 8:00 Wednesday evening at the CARSON-WALL FUNERAL HOME. Memorials are suggested to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, P.O. Box 942, Parsons, KS 67357. Online condolences may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com.