After 70 years of marriage, Norman J. and Darlene J. Slechta passed away peacefully within hours of each other on Thursday, December 13, 2018. They were married August 14, 1948 in Hays. Norman was born July 5, 1930 in Ellsworth to John and Anna (Blick) Slechta. Darlene was born November 7, 1930 in Lincoln County to Henry and Edna (Trapp) Schwerdtfeger.

Norman served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was a member of the American Legion Post 174 of Ellsworth and VFW Post 6240 of Russell. He was co-owner of Slechta Enterprises of Ellsworth and was an avid sportsman who especially loved fishing and camping.

Darlene was a homemaker, an active member of the Ellsworth American Legion Post 174 Auxiliary, and was president of the Kansas American Legion Auxiliary in 1983. They were both members of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Ellsworth.

Norman and Darlene are survived by their sons, Michael Slechta (Betty) of Ellsworth, Dale Slechta of rural Wilson, and Steven Slechta (Christine) of Ellsworth; grandchildren, Kelley Crawford, Emilie Penner, Dawn Robertson, Nathan Slechta, Dustin Slechta, Kaitlyn Slechta, and Cody Slechta; eight great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. Darlene is also survived by her sisters, Laura Pejsha (Gary) of Nevada, IA and Judy Moore (Terry) of Sand Springs, OK; and numerous cousins. They were both preceded in death by their parents and a daughter, Janet Slechta. Norman was also preceded in death by his brothers, Richard and Nick Slechta and Darlene by her brother, Dennis Schwerdtfeger.

Visitation: 1-8 p.m., Monday, December 17, 2018 at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, with family present 6-8 p.m.

Funeral service: 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at Immanuel Lutheran Church with burial following in the Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ellsworth American Legion Post 174 or Immanuel Lutheran Church, c/o, Parsons Funeral Home, PO Box 45, Ellsworth, KS 67439.