Nora Kyger

Nora Katherine Kyger, 81, died peacefully at her home on July 19 with her children at her side. She was born in Independence on September 15, 1926, the only daughter of William and Ida Bessmer, and was raised on her parent’s dairy farm along with her three older brothers William, Robert, and Howard. She graduated from William Chrisman High School in 1944 and then from the Independence Sanitarium and Hospital School of Nursing in 1948. Following her graduation, she pursued her vocation as a Registered Nurse, rising eventually to the position of head OR nurse at the Independence Sanitarium and Hospital. While working as a nurse she met her future husband, Dr. John E. Kyger, an anesthesiologist serving at the same hospital. They married in 1962 and built a beautiful house where they raised their two children and lived for nearly 40 years. Throughout their lives together they enjoyed caring for their home and garden, opportunities for travel, visiting with friends and relatives, and doting on the many dachshunds they loved over the years. A woman of great energy and generosity, Nora’s ethic of service led her to participate in a wide variety of formal and informal volunteer groups. For many years, Nora was an active member of several medical auxiliaries. She was a long-standing member of the Independence Sanitarium and Hospital Auxiliary, and held many offices within the organization, culminating in her elevation to the presidency of the Auxiliary in 1985. She was also a past president of the Medical Alliance of the Metropolitan Medical Society of Greater Kansas City and a member of the Jackson County Medical Society Auxiliary, as well as past chair of the Student Nurse’s Loan Fund, a cause about which she was especially passionate. In 1985, she was honored as Auxilian of the Year by the Missouri Association of Hospital Auxiliaries. At the hospital, Nora was instrumental in establishing the Cinnamon Stick Restaurant and also logged many hours as a buyer for the auxiliary-run gift shop. She regularly volunteered at her children’s schools, and for years helped to plan and organize her high school and nursing school class reunions. She was always ready to lend a hand to friends, neighbors, and family. Nora was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, a sister-in-law, a brother-in-law, and her husband. She is survived by her children Katherine Laurine and John Mark, both of Independence, and by three sisters-in-law, and by her many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She also leaves many cherished friends who were devoted to her. A visitation will be held Thursday, July 24, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Carson-Speaks Chapel, 1501 Lexington Ave., Independence, Missouri. A memorial service will be held Friday, July 25 at 11 a.m. at St. Luke’s United Church of Christ, 727 N. Main St., Independence, Missouri. Nora placed her friends and family at the center of her life. She was blessed with the gift of friendship and was dedicated to the well-being of her family. She was much loved and will be dearly missed.