Norma Harrod was born in Ottawa, Kansas, in 1931, She was the daughter of Mae and Steve Ralph. She graduated from Ottawa High School in 1949 and graduated from Ottawa University in 1953 with a degree in Education.
In 1952, she married Vic Harrod, he preceded her in death in 2010. She was also preceded in death by an infant son, Blaine Ralph Harrod.
Norma spent her life as an educator, a career that spanned almost 70 years. Her intense drive to inspire young and old minds alike, took her thru several roles during her career. The majority was spent in the Lawrence community. She served as a speech and drama teacher and was sponsor of Junior Player and director of all school plays at West Junior High. She would then retire from her role as the district director for multimedia for the Lawrence School District. Retirement did not suit Norma, she quickly signed up to teach English as a second language to adults. This resulted in another career of almost 30 years where she met students from all over the world. Norma also served on the Lawrence Park and Recreation Advisory Board in the 60’s. She took great pride in the progress that board made in bringing the first community pool to serve ALL residents. Norma was also a published author in numerous publications.
Norma is survived by her daughter, Laurie Harrod Boyd; son V. Lynn Harrod and his wife Lisa; grandchildren Andrew Boyd and his fiancé Suzanne Stout (Indianapolis), Bree Beasley (Denver), Britt Beasley (Lawrence), and Bailey Salsbury and her husband Matthew (Topeka); five great grandchildren.
There will be a visitation at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home from 5:00-6:00 PM on Sunday, January 14. The family will celebrate Norma’s life at 10:00 AM Monday, January 15 at the Rumsey-Yost Funeral home and meet with friends immediately following the ceremony at the funeral home, PO Box 1260, Lawrence KS 66044.
The family would like to thank the 4th Floor staff at LMH and Pioneer Ridge AL for their sincere and dignified respect towards Norma. The family suggests memorials be sent in care of the funeral home to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Lawrence School Foundation.
Online condolences may be left at www.rumsey-yost.com.
