Norma Jean Beagley

Mar 6, 1933 — Jul 29, 2026

Colby, Kansas

Norma Jean Beagley. Photo courtesy of Baalmann Mortuary and Crematory

Norma Jean Beagley passed away peacefully surrounded by family July 29, 2026, at Prairie Senior Living Facility in Colby, Kansas. Norma Jean was the middle of three children born to Mary (Turner) and Francis (Frank) Salter. She was born March 6, 1933, in her home in Rice County, Kansas, outside of Macksville. The family later moved to Turon in Reno County, where she later graduated from school.

Norma met the love of her life during high school after he returned home from serving in the Navy. She wedded Farrell Delmonte Beagley one week after graduating high school in 1951. A week later the newlywed couple packed their bags, left Turon and moved approximately 13 miles south of Oakley, Kansas to a one-bedroom sod house with a dirt floor and warming stove. About a year after arriving in Logan County, they then acquired their original family farm where the operation still runs today. In the first few years of being there, drought hit the area hard requiring them to sale their cattle herd. Amid the hardships of low-producing crops, the young couple was blessed with two boys, Monte Kirk and Eugene Dee.

Around 1959 the drought started to subside, and Farrell and Norma were able to restart the cattle herd with 20 Angus, 20 Hereford, 20 Shorthorn Heifers and 1 Charolais Bull. The couple also got into raising horses where the boys were able to show throughout the state and make many family friends while doing so. The other successful accomplishment that flourished through the livestock was Farrell’s desire to make the cattle herd registered. They were able to accomplish this in the Charolais breed forming BBB Charolais around 1970. The boys also had some successful years showing the Charolais breed at big shows across the nation which Norma enjoyed attending around the Midwest.

In 1986 Norma and Farrell moved one last time to their farm 2 miles South of Oakley where they were able to expand the farming operation more, while keeping the original homestead.

Norma was an impeccable housewife and was a wonderful mom, she wasn’t normally found in the farming operation or cattle unless requested. She had a passion for reading and kept a beautiful flower garden and green thumb. She could spend hours picking weeds and planting flowers. She didn’t have an actual wage paying job until she was in her 60s, where she decided to get herself a job answering phones at H&R block during tax season. She enjoyed the people and conversations she would have.

Norma was also an active member in the Methodist Church in Monument and later years Oakley. She served as Treasurer for many years helping with funeral dinners and various other positions on council and prayer chains and taught Sunday School Classes. She was also involved in PEO (Cameo), EHU, Mother’s Club, Red Hat Society, and enjoyed playing in various card clubs.

Norma’s biggest blessing or accomplishment would have to be her family. She was known as “Grammy” to them and has five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Norma was preceded in death by her husband, Farrell; parents, Mary and Frank Salter; in-laws, Ruby and Floyd Beagley; sister, Evelyn Manley; brother, Francis ‘Richard’ Salter and wife Barbara; sister-in-law Lena Kerr and husband Bob, and daughter-in-law, Jeanice Beagley.

Left to carry on are her sons Monte Beagley and Gene Beagley; grandchildren, Kayla (Justin) Goetz, Shawn Beagley, Amber (Jacob) Light, Kimberly (Dr. William) Kinderknecht and Kasey Beagley; great-grandchildren, Broady, Branton, Brock and Braislynn Goetz, Eilzabeth and Lily Kinderknecht, Enzley and Evey Light; as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews that she truly adored.

Visitation will be from 5-7:00 p.m. Friday, July 31, 2026, at Baalmann Mortuary, Oakley. A funeral service will be held to celebrate Norma’s life on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, Oakley, followed by a graveside service at the Oakley City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the United Methodist Church of Oakley and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit baalmannmortuary.com