Norman Eugene Ashcraft was born at his uncle's farm east of Holton, KS on September 2, 1936 to Raymond R. and Helen Ashcraft. Living on a farm, Norman attended different country schools and graduated from Denison High School in 1954.

Being an only boy with two older and two younger sisters, Norman used to sing “I’m a Lonely Little Petunia in an Onion Patch.” Just like his father, Norman was good-natured and enjoyed teasing friends and companions.

Upon graduating high school, he entered the navy at the age of 17. He took his basic training at Camp Dewey, Great Lakes, Illinois. Following the completion of basic training, Norman was assigned to the USS Toledo, a heavy cruiser, where he served the last part of the Korean War and the remainder of his enlistment. He was the captain's phone talker during general quarters, a term meaning battle mode. Norman was honorably discharged in September of 1957 as a PN3.

Upon returning home, Norman worked for Petree propane until his hire at the Dupont Cellophane Factory in Tecumseh, KS where he worked for 11 years before embarking on his career as an American Family agent in Holton for 34 years.

On October 31, 1958, Norman married Loma Rita Haley. They later divorced. Of this marriage was born three sons.

Norman enjoyed his three sons and their many activities. One of his greatest pleasures was teaching his sons to camp, hunt and fish, and spending time with them encouraging their interests. He became a little league coach, 4-H leathercraft leader, and a Webelo Scout Leader, and he coached his boys' adult co-rec softball team. He was a storm spotter and belonged to the Mounted Sheriff's Posse. Norman was a member of the VFW and American Legion, and the Holton Masonic Lodge 42 A.F. & A.M. He was always a country-boy at heart and enjoyed raising Hereford and then Angus cattle.

In 1999, Norman married Linda Ann Garber and moved to a small 10-acre farm south of Circleville, KS. They both enjoyed gardening and had a large garden from which they canned and froze their bountiful crop. He also had a John Deere tractor and hay equipment for his cattle. His cows were his relaxation after working in the office with people all day. Later Norm and Linda moved to Sabetha, KS where Linda worked. Norman worked two days a week at Hardware Hanks for two years.

He is survived by his wife Linda, sons David (Debbie) of Holton, Denny (Donna) of Mayetta, Doug (Theresa) of Topeka; Andrew (Megan) Garber of Maumelle, Arkansas; Grandchildren Trevor, Bailey, Dalton and Darcee Ashcraft all of Holton, Zeb Ashcraft (Erica) of Leavenworth, KS, and Andre, Karlyn, Roman and Beckett Garber of Maumelle, Arkansas; four sisters Ruby Battey of Colorado, Hazel Balthazar, Topeka, Jean Marie Browne, Topeka and Marilyn (George) Wenk, Holton; 3 step-granddaughters; 7 step-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews, as well as several grandnieces and grandnephews.

Funeral Service will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, September 5, 2024, at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial with Military Honors will follow at the Holton Cemetery. Norman will lie in state beginning Tuesday. Family will greet friends 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Holton Ball Association or Holton Cub Scouts or Sabetha Hospital Hospice c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com.