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Norman Dean Wichert was born in the hospital in Enid, Oklahoma on Aug. 30, 1933. His parents were Emil and Lena (Unruh) Wichert. He was joined by a brother, Robert, in 1937. A few months later, in September, Norman’s mother passed away after spending many months in the hospital. After her death, Emil and his two young sons moved in with Emil’s folks. Norman’s aunts and uncles took turns caring for Norman during the day. On Aug. 4, 1940, Norman got a new mother, when Emil married Dora Reimer.
Norman grew up on a farm northwest of Fairview. When he was around 9 years old, he attended a revival service where he accepted Jesus as his Savior. He was baptized and joined the Mennonite Brethren Church. He attended Valley Center School for 1st-8th grade.
He completed his 9th grade year of school at Fairview High School, where he learned to play the cornet and march in the band. He completed his high school education at Corn Bible Academy. There he loved playing in the band and singing. After graduating in 1951, he worked for a bricklayer. He mixed mud and moved bricks for $100 a week. When his name was called for the draft in 1954, he joined the Navy and was stationed in Maryland as a nurse at the Naval hospital in Washington, DC.
After 18 months in the Navy, he was discharged and returned to Fairview to help with the farming. He also did various other jobs such as custom cutting and construction. During this time he met the love of his life, Lorene Mildred Kliewer. They were married on Aug. 3, 1962. Soon after that, he and his brother began Wichert Brothers Construction. They built many houses, as well as several wings of the Fellowship Home Apartments.
In 1967, Norman and Millie had their first daughter, Brenda, and then in 1969 Lori was born to make their family complete. Norman enjoyed spending time with his family and loved to travel.
Norman enjoyed good health and exercised daily. He often bundled up in a parka to go walking in the early Winter mornings. As his grandchildren grew older, he and Millie would think nothing of jumping in the car to go to Kansas or Edmond for a track meet, cross country meet, swim meet, or basketball game. Norman’s favorite things were music and being with his children and grandchildren. He was always ready to make some homemade ice cream for his family.
Norman went to join his Savior on July 22, 2025. He will be missed by his wife of almost 63 years Millie, his daughter Brenda and her husband Joe Sechrist of Hillsboro, KS and daughter Lori and her husband Jason DeLester of Edmond, OK, his grandchildren Tanner Sechrist, Emily (Chancellor) Stillwell, Abby (Toby) Penner & Millie (Frank) Wichert, Jack and Lauren DeLester and one great-granddaughter Adaline Stillwell.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 9, 2025 at the Fairview Mennonite Brethren Church with Pastor Travis Schmidt officiating. Memorials can be made to Tabor College or Fairview Fellowship Home with the funeral home serving as custodian at P.O. Box 15, Fairview, OK 73737. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.piercefuneralhomes.com.
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