Pamela Kay Norstrom

Pamela K. Norstrom, 72, passed away at 9:30 p.m. on February 10, 2020, surrounded by her family after a nearly three year battle with cancer. Pam was born on December 2, 1947, in McPherson, Kansas. She was the daughter of Wallace and Marie (Nelson) Lindberg.

Pam grew up on a farm northeast of Galva, Kansas and attended Prairie Queen and Peaceful Prairie country schools. In 1959, she transferred into the Galva school system as a 7th Grader. Pam was active in high school, participating in plays, music and cheerleading. She graduated high school in 1965.

Pam and her brother, Steve, were also very active in the Empire Best 4-H club for several years. She held a number of different posts at both the club and county-wide levels. Pam and Steve both showed Shorthorn cattle and were active in the Kansas Junior Shorthorn Association. Pam was the Kansas Shorthorn Lassie Queen in 1966. The friendships made through 4-H and Shorthorn association remained strong throughout her life.

After graduating from the Brown Mackie School of Business, Pam moved to Topeka Kansas, and worked for the Internal Revenue field office. It was during this time, she became engaged to Lanny, and they were married on June 22, 1969. Pam kept fond memories of friends she made during the early years of their marriage and the church family at Westside Christian. Both sons, Michael and Eric, were born in Topeka. Last June, Pam and Lanny celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the Canton fair grounds with a night filled with lots of fun, laughter, and music from the Triple play band.

Pam lost her brother, Steve, to brain cancer in 1974 at the age of 25. The decision was made to move back to the Galva area to help with the farm and be closer to both sets of parents. Lanny went to work for Home Telephone Company, and Pam took a position at McPherson County Extension Service. Mike and Eric followed in their mother's footsteps and joined the Empire Best 4-H club, and naturally showed cattle for one of their projects. They also made lifelong 4-H friends. Eric also learned how to hypnotize chickens. That a boy! Those were busy but happy times for Pam and her family, when slow down didn’t seem like an option. But looking back, she wouldn’t have changed a thing.

The family became very involved in the Galva Christian Church, the church in which Pam grew up. She was the regional Disciple Women’s president for two years and had friends in pretty much every Disciples church in the state of Kansas. Her work with the church was a major focus of her life, especially in the latter year. Again, the friendships formed here were strong and lasting.

One of the few low points of Pam and Lanny’s years together was June 15, 1992, when an F5 tornado came through the neighborhood. It was ¾ of a mile wide when it hit the Norstrom farm and didn’t leave much behind. Miraculously, no one was injured so there was a lot to be thankful for. So many people showed up to help the next morning that not everyone could find anywhere to park. Pam said that’s just how things work in the country, and certainly showed the power of strong friendships formed.

Pam was preceded in death by her parents, Wallace and Marie, her brother, Steven, and grandparents, Art and Myrtle.

She leaves behind: her husband, Lanny; two sons, Mike and wife, Karla, and Eric and wife, Treva; sister-in-law, Cathy Irwin; four grandchildren, Zach and Drew (Mike’s) and Taryn and Ryder (Eric’s); uncle, Charles Lindberg; and cousins, Rhonda Lindberg (and son, Jonathon), Rene Lindberg, Kristine Lindberg (and daughter, Jennifer), Ty Zeiner (his children, Brad, Chelsea, Joel, and Julia Zeiner), and Chris Zeiner.

Pam’s family wants to thank everyone for your love, support, phone calls, cards, visits and prayers. WE LOVE YOU. Our time together has been a great ride!

The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Friday, March 6, 2020, at the Galva Christian Church. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, March 7, at the Galva Christian Church with Pastor Tripp Edwards officiating.

Memorial donations may be given to the Galva Christian Church Social Media Fund or the Jones Cabin at Camp Tawakoni, in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Pamela Kay Norstrom please visit our Sympathy Store.