Norma Jean Kitchen, daughter of the late Theodore Karlish and Linda Riddle Karlish, was born on February 5, 1938 in Malden, Missouri and passed away on January 20, 2014 at Crowley Ridge Care Center in Dexter at the age of 75 years.

Mrs. Kitchen was a resident of Dexter and a member of the First United Methodist Church in Dexter, a Sunday school teacher and a Bible Study teacher.  She had worked in sales at Spartech Plastics in Cape Girardeau and at Gideon-Anderson in Gideon and had been employed as a receptionist at the City of Dexter.  She was an avid bird watcher and enjoyed reading and puzzles. 

On April 30, 1960, she was united in marriage to Ronnie Kitchen in Gideon, Missouri.  Mr. Kitchen preceded her in death on October 21, 1976.

She is survived by two daughters, Cynthia Kitchen Tarkington and husband Billy of Antioch, Tennessee and Penny Kitchen Okan of Dexter; by three brothers, Terry Karlish of Malden, Gary Karlish of Malden and Richard (Bojac) Karlish of Tulsa, Oklahoma; by three sisters, Sue Little of Clarkton, Joyce Nimmo of Malden and Debbie Karlish of Malden; and by one granddaughter, Macyn Okan of Dexter. 

In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert (Bobby) Karlish and Roger Karlish.

Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Friday, January 24, 2014 from 12:00 Noon to 2:00 P.M. 

A memorial service will be conducted on Friday, January 24, 2014 in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel at 2:00 P.M. with Rev. Barry Winders officiating. 

Donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church in Dexter and the American Cancer Society or a charity of your choice.