Norma Jean Sullivan, 91, died on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at her home near Dunlap. She was born on Dec. 6, 1932, near Dunlap, to parents Alfred and Evelyn (Koski) Mitchell. She attended country school and then Dunlap High School. Graduating from Dunlap High School in 1951. Norma married Leo Paul Sullivan on Nov. 14, 1951, at the St. Patrick Catholic Church in Dunlap. The couple farmed northeast of Dunlap. Norma worked at the Safari Club, took care of the books when they owned Sullivan Seed and Feed and operated Norma’s Stitch and Sew company for 20 years, doing the sewing for Sullivan Supply.
Norma was a member of the St. Patrick Catholic Church where she was a Catholic Daughter. Norma was a member of the Chattering Dozen Neighborhood Club. She always had a big garden and canned and froze a lot of the produce. She made great strawberry jam and oversaw the Horticulture Barn at the Four County Fair for many years and served on the Four County Fair Board. Norma loved to cook and bake, the grandkids loved to help decorate her Christmas cookies. Norma learned to yodel at a young age and continued yodeling throughout her life. Family vacations at Lake Okoboji were a favorite vacation for Norma. Norma loved to play, bingo, checkers, go fish and slap jack to name a few of the games she played with the grandkids. Norma always loved her family get-togethers.
Norma was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Leo Paul Sullivan; son, Leo A. Sullivan; great-grandson, Kobie Garner; and brother, Bob Mitchell. She is survived by her seven children, Bart Sullivan and his wife Lisa, Joe Sullivan and his wife Beth, Dave Sullivan, Roger Sullivan, John Sullivan and his wife Dede all of Dunlap, Dan Sullivan of Hillsboro, Texas, and Jean and her husband Wayne Beam of Ankney; 13 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; brother, Chuck Mitchell and his wife Sally and sister, Phyllis Klein both of Dunlap; and many other relatives and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Dunlap. Rev. Joel McNeil presided over the service. The musicians were Sabrina Cogdill and EveVonne Muff. The honorary pallbearers were Norma’s grandchildren and great grandchildren. The pallbearers were the late Leo A. Sullivan, Bart Sullivan, Joe Sullivan, Dave Sullivan, Roger Sullivan, Dan Sullivan, John Sullivan and Jean Beam. Norma’s final resting place is at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery.
Fouts Funeral Home in Dunlap was in charge of arrangements. www.foutsfuneralhome.com
