Norman Halstead

Norman Laurence Halstead was born August 2, 1929 to parents Laurence and Esther Halstead in Detroit, Michigan. Throughout his life, he lived in Enterprise, Hutchinson, and Minneapolis, but his adult years were largely spent in Wichita, Kansas. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen, his sister, Phyllis Halstead Flint, and his parents. Norman is survived by 2 nieces, 3 nephews, and 8 great-nieces and nephews. A faithful Christian, departed this life and went to be in God’s eternal presence on January 15, 2019.

Norman lived a life that was faithful to country, family and God. He served in the Army during the Korean Conflict as a medic. While on the front lines in Korea, he was seriously injured. He was recognized with a purple heart. He married Helen L. Halstead on June 24, 1955 – a marriage that endured 62 years until her death in 2017. Together, they supported five different children under the sponsorship of Compassion International. He was a member of Northside Bible Chapel in Kechi and volunteered at a Christian camp for children, as well as Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, with Helen.

Norman worked three decades at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Wichita (now Via Christi) as an orthopedic tech. Following retirement, he enjoyed working for a friend at Yost Auto Service and volunteering at Pleasant Valley Elementary School.

Norman was known for his sense of humor – he always had a bad joke or a pun to share. Animals adored him – including the pets of his nieces and nephews. The family remembers how much he and Helen enjoyed having poodles.

Helen and Norman shared a love of travel. They made several long trips – to Europe, the Holy Land, Alaska – and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a cruise to Hawaii. Norman loved to drive, and so, they often traveled the U.S. by car, enjoying the National Parks and visiting family. Their frequent trips to Colorado were a source of fond memories. In 2014, they even made the long trip by car to Ohio to visit niece Joy Simpson and her spouse. Norman was able to join the Honor Flight group from Wichita in 2015, accompanied by nephew Stephen Simpson, who is also a veteran. On that trip, Norman saw for the first time, in our nation’s capital, the Korean War Memorial.

Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to: the Northside Bible Chapel, 4510 East 61st, St. N, Kechi, KS 67067; or Immanuel Mission (a Christian Navajo school), P.O Box 1080, Teec Nos Pos, AZ 86514.