Velda "Tootie" Anne Carpenter Norton

Velda “Tootie” Anne Norton, 90, of Newton, and formerly of Chariton, passed away on Monday, September 7, 2015 at the Nelson Manor Care Center in Newton, IA. As were Velda’s wishes, her body has been cremated. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, September 11, 2015 at the Fielding Funeral Home in Chariton. Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 10, 2015 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Fielding Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Russell Cemetery immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed in her honor to the American Legion Auxiliary or the Lucas County Public Health. 

Velda “Tootie” Anne Norton was born August 9, 1925 in Russell, IA to Hollie and Candacy Harding Carpenter. She attended grade school in Russell and the rest of her schooling in Chariton. When she was fifteen she left school and married the love of her life, Dale Norton in Princeton, MO. Dale was in the service, and the first few years of their marriage were spent traveling until he left for WWII. Upon Dales return they settled in Chariton. Velda became a loving mother to four daughters, Kandy, Sharry, Kathy, and Peggy. During the girls’ early years she was a stay at home mother and homemaker. As the children got older she returned to the work force. She worked at Regal, Steiner Jewelry, and Fisher’s Greenhouse. Velda cherished her job as mother to her daughters but also enjoyed the time she spent working outside the home. In her spare time she loved to collect items such as ceramic chickens and Betty Boop memorabilia. She was known for her green thumb, and put it to work in her garden, often canning what she had grown. People always knew where they stood with Velda. She was not afraid to share what was on her mind or her thoughts on a given situation. No matter what life brought her way, her family always came first. Velda was a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend who will be deeply missed by those left here to share her story. 

Velda was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Dale Norton; a daughter, Sharry Belcher; three brothers, Bill, Lee, and Lyle “Red” Carpenter, and one grandson, Patrick Ober. 

Left to honor her memory are her three daughters, Kandy (Bill) Hardie of Chariton, Kathy Batterson (Gary Bingham) of Newton, and Peggy Wickstrom of McPherson, KS; one brother, Bernie (Cindi) Carpenter, as well as seven grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren, and many extended family and friends, including a best friend and aunt Retha Burgett.