Norman Lee Zinn, 84, Omaha, Neb., died Feb. 7, 2010, in Omaha.

He was born April 26, 1925, in Topeka and grew up in the Grantville community of Jefferson County, the son of William Ivan Everett and Ursula Emmaline Ellison Zinn.

He was a communications specialist with the U.S. Army during World War II and served in England and France.

He was a teacher and administrator in the Omaha Public School system until his retirement.

Mr. Zinn wrote a column, “The World According to Zinn,” that appeared in The Vindicator from 1992 until 2005. He wrote mostly about his youth and the people he grew up with in Jefferson County. Many of the columns were published in book form.

Survivors include his wife of 32 years, Judith Allen Zinn, of the home; daughters, Annie-France Zinn, Omaha, and Shireen Michele Deeds, Council Bluffs, Iowa; a son, Christopher Allen Oien, Omaha; two granddaughters; and a sister, Alice Louise Zinn Beems, Topeka.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Harley Eugene Zinn, and a sister, Marjorie Evelyn Zinn Beems.

At his request, there will be no service. A gathering of family and friends will be announced at a later date.

Memorials can be made to the Nebraska Humane Society, 8929 Fort Street, Omaha, 68134.

Billie Russell

Billie Jean Russell, 79, Topeka, died Feb. 7, 2010, at the Colmery-O’Neil VA Medical Center.

He was born Feb. 7, 1931, in Council Grove, the son of Paul S. and Dicie Edison Russell. He graduated from Council Grove High School.

He was a Navy veteran of the Korean War.

He was employed by Martin Tractor Company, Topeka, as a diesel mechanic. He owned and operated Russell Brothers Texaco and opened Midway Auto Supply, which expanded to eight different locations.

He married Nadine C. Wessel July 19, 1953, in Council Grove. She survives.

Other survivors include their children, Joleen Probst, Topeka, Becky Griffith, Council Grove, and Kathy Siegrist, Valley Falls; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a sister, Darlene Cobb, Council Grove; and three brothers, Jim Russell, Topeka, and Estil Russell and Rodney Russell, Olathe.

He was preceded in death by two brothers and one sister.

Services were Feb. 11 at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, Topeka. Burial was in Prairie Home Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be given to the Colmery-O’Neil VA Medical Center, 2200 SW Gage Blvd., Bldg. 24, Topeka, 66622.

Marvin Porter

Marvin F. Porter, 83, Topeka, died Feb. 14, 2010, at a Topeka care home.

He was born Nov. 28, 1926, in Alma, the son of Francis and Clara Hiner Porter. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

He married Mildred Hiner. She preceded him in death. He married Delores Sumner March 25, 1978, in Topeka.

At the age of 17, he went with the “Hammtown USA” combine crew on the wheat harvest from Texas to the Canadian border, which was the first crew employed by N.R. Hamm of Perry. He worked for Hamm Corporation as a heavy equipment mechanic. He worked as a gas man, mechanic and troubleshooter and was called “The Replacement Man.”

Mr. Porter was a life member of the Perry American Legion Post No. 142.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Everet and John; five sisters, Myrna, Marilyn, Mildred, Lola, and Wilma; a stepson, Gary Salisbury; and a son, Calvin Porter.

He is survived by his wife, Delores Porter, Mayetta; a brother, Ralph Porter. Perry; three stepdaughters, Denise Eaton, Entiat, Wash., Dawn Louise Salisbury, Turlock, Calif., and Debbie Kinzel, Des Moines, Iowa; seven stepgrandchildren; and three stepgreat-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19, at the Davidson Funeral Home Chapel, Topeka. He will lie in state from noon until 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home with visitation from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Interment will be at the Rochester Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to the Perry American Legion Post No. 142, Box 193, Perry, 66073.

Katherine Olmsted

Katherine E. Olmsted, 42, Ozawkie, died following a traffic accident Feb. 12.

Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel.

Jeanne Boucher

Jeanne A. Boucher, 69, Lecompton, died Feb. 9, 2010, at her home.

She was born July 13, 1940, in Ellis County, the daughter of Miles Adrian and Ruth Maxine McCauley Warren. She graduated from Palco High School.

She worked as the Jefferson County Deputy Treasurer and as a bookkeeper for the Westheifer Company in Lawrence. She also served as volunteer treasurer for the Lecompton Fire and Rescue, a volunteer for the Oskaloosa Fire Department, the Douglas County Amateur Baseball Association, and the Lawrence Memorial Hospital. She served on the school board in Oskaloosa.

She married LeRoy Anthony Boucher Feb. 7, 1959, in Zurich. He survives of the home.

Other survivors include two sons, Michael Alan Boucher, Topeka, and Anthony “Tony” Boucher, Oskaloosa; a daughter, Kimberly J. Boucher, Lecompton; one brother, Jackie M. Warren, Plainville; two sisters, Patricia Wendling and Helen Keller-Davis, both of Palco; two stepbrothers, Avery D. Ouderkirk Jr, Osawatomie, and Wendell Ouderkirk, Sallisaw, Okla.; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were Feb. 12 at the Big Springs United Methodist Church. Burial was in the Eastview Cemetery in Big Springs.

Memorials can be made to the Douglas County VNA Hospice, and sent in care of Lawrence Funeral Chapel, 3821 W. 6th Street, Lawrence, 66049.

Frederick Curry

Frederick Tannehill Curry, 58, Winchester, lost a three-year battle with cancer Feb. 9, 2010, and died at his home.

He retired from the U.S. Army as a major after 20 years of service. He continued to serve his country, working with the African Union and the United Nations, training Peacekeepers for humanitarian assistance in Africa. He was also an avid John Deere memorabilia collector.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy; two daughters, Natasha and Amanda; two sons, Kyle and Kenneth; one grandson; and sisters, Laura and Cecelia.

A funeral service was held at St. Paul Episcopal Church, Leavenworth, Feb. 15. Interment was in the Church columbarium with full military honors.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Kids Connection, through St. Paul Episcopal Church or the Davis Funeral Chapel.