Skyler Wayne Norman

Skyler Wayne Norman (70) of Gem, Kansas, was born to Riley E. and Joleen K. (Sinclair) Norman in Woodland, California. He passed away September 4, 2025, in Fremont, Nebraska, as the result of an accident while he was walking in the parking lot of the truck stop where he had stopped for fuel. Skyler married Deborah Untiedt on July 15, 1989, in Aurora, CO. He had two children from a previous marriage, Maci and Mathew. They lived in Aurora for the first five years of marriage, then moved to Oberlin, Kansas, finally making their home in Gem, Kansas.

Skyler grew up working with his dad on farms in California and Colorado. He worked for the phone company in Burlington, Colorado, before trying his hand at his own farm. He drove trucks for UPS and one of the auto parts outlets before working for Shamrock Foods out of Denver delivering groceries to the mountains and Kansas. It was while he was working for Shamrock Foods that he met Deb in Durango, CO. While delivering groceries in Kansas, he found a restaurant in Oberlin, Kansas, that he wanted to manage and eventually buy. The restaurant didn’t work out as he had hoped, but that didn’t stop him. He went to work for Brown Motors in Oberlin as a mechanic and also helped out with harvest. After that, he made sales and deliveries for Western Distributors out of Norton, KS. Skyler ran their Goodland distribution center delivering Budweiser. Before he moved to Gem, he went to work for M&A Barnett Trucking in Gem, KS, where he drove all across the country. It was during this time that he purchased his first truck. Over the next 27 years, Skyler owned four trucks and pulled for a number of different brokers. At the end, he was working with Agway in Lincoln, NE, where he was very happy. When he wasn’t out driving a truck, Skyler liked to travel, work in the yard and garden, and spend time with his dogs. His favorite vacations later in life were cruising, Daytona Beach, and recently going on long motorcycle trips with his cousin Scott. He also enjoyed his involvement with his motorcycle groups and going on the benefit runs that he was able to make it home for. Skyler was a member of the Sons of the American Legion in Jennings, KS.

Skyler was preceded in death by his parents, Riley and Joleen; his grandparents, Chancey and Mable Norman, and Hardin and Estle Sinclair; his father-in-law Charles Untiedt; and many aunts and uncles. He is survived by his wife Deb; children Maci and Mat; grandchildren Skyler (Amanda) Barrera and Molly Norman; great-grandson Kaison, great-granddaughters Aryan and Evelyn, with another great-grandson on the way; sisters Rila Brown, Robbi (Marc) Pottorff, and Joni (Brett) Dutton; mother-in-law Margaret Untiedt; sister-in-law Dianna (Scott) Neff and brother-in-law Vince (Jenny) Untiedt; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

His last wish was to be cremated with his ashes scattered in the ocean. There will be a Celebration of Life held on November 8, 2025, at Baalmann Mortuary, Colby, at 11:00 am CT, with a meal following. Memorials may be made to ABATE of Kansas District 13 or the Tri-State Coalition of Concerned Motorcyclists and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit baalmannmortuary.com