Norma Jean Gechter, 84, died January 5, 2011 at Western Plains Medical Complex in Dodge City. She was born on September 28, 1926 in Cimarron at the family home, the daughter of Simon and Eva (Ratzlaff) Koehn.

From the ages of 7 to 13, Norma lived with John and Ella Mae Koehn and attended Montezuma Schools. She returned to Cimarron and attended Cimarron Schools. On January 9, 1946, Norma married Harry J. (Jim) Gechter in Dodge City. He preceded her in death on November 12, 2004. As a young married lady, Norma worked at Bakers Clothing Store in Cimarron. In 1950, she and Jim moved to Offerle with Gano Grain and Norma was a homemaker. Then in 1961, they moved to Minneola, where she worked at the local grocery store. In 1965, they moved back to Cimarron when Norma purchased Bakers Clothing which became Gechter's Ready to Wear Clothing. She actively involved in the store for 45 years. Although she had no business experience, she was a very successful business woman. When Norma semi-retired, she and Jim enjoyed traveling. She was a loving and good mother to her children and a wonderful grandma to all her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was a member of the Cimarron United Methodist Church and the Cimarron Chamber of Commerce, and served as a volunteer EMT for many years in Cimarron.

Norma is survived by three sons, Steve Gechter and wife Sue of Dodge City, Marc Gechter and wife Terry of Salina, and Mick Gechter and wife Lori of Garden City; two daughters, Marsha Ganstrom and husband Wendell of Robinson and Jeanne Rohrbaugh and husband John of Cimarron; one brother, Bob Koehn of Bryant, Arkansas; 12 grandchildren; and 15 great grandchildren. In addition to her husband Jim, Norma is preceded in death by her parents, six brothers, Vernon, Earl, Ed, Tom, Ralph, and Don Koehn; and one sister, Freida Edwards.

Memorial service will be held at Cimarron United Methodist Church on Saturday, January 8, 2011 at 2:00 PM with Rev. Larry Danforth presiding. There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Memorials are suggested to the Cimarron United Methodist Church or to the Cimarron Library in care of the Swaim Funeral Home – 1901 Sixth Ave – Dodge City, KS 67801. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.