Noma Roberts Kjar

Noma greeted this life on March 17, 1921, to her "Goodly Parents", William Fred and Olive Beattie Wollenzien Roberts. She attended East High school, and graduated from the University of Utah where she was the "U Day Queen", ROTC Military Sponsor, and a member of the Delta Delta Delta Sorority. From 1940-42, Noma served for three years in the Women’s Army Corps during WWII and felt a great love for her country. She married her best friend, Joseph Ashton Kjar in 1945, and they finally settled in Centerville, Utah where they loved raising five wonderful children. Noma also loved teaching adorable First Graders, for twenty-two years. Noma passed away peacefully at the William E. Christoffersen Veterans Home.

In 1983-86, Noma’s energies turned to serving her Savior with her husband in the Manila Philippines Mission. Later, Noma & Joe were called to be the Directors of the LDS Historic Sites in Palmyra, New York. Here Joe was able to feast on the life of Joseph Smith and share it with his sweetheart. In 2007, she was honored to be named the Centerville Mother of the Year. Noma also loved tennis, golf and anything connected to the BYU sports program. "Go Cougars!"  

After losing her sweetheart, Joe, in 2008 Noma enjoyed traveling with her children and their spouses. Noma lived on her own until a stroke created the need for more constant care. Being a WWII Army vet, Noma was received into the William E. Christoffersen Veterans Home in 2017 at the age of 96. Noma passed away peacefully there on Thursday, June 20th. 

This began an important, and unexpected chapter in Noma’s life. For seven years Noma and her family were blessed by the skilled and caring personnel, dedicated to serving military veterans. Noma found new purpose in helping fellow residents record their military experiences, providing resident feedback, and in 2024 was still teaching Sunday School.  

Noma was recognized with several military commendations; but she would be quick to note she was only put in the frame on behalf of the many others who were no longer living. But perhaps her happiest honor was being selected as honorary co-captain for the BYU football team for their game against Iowa State on Veterans Day, November 11, 2023. 

To her family, Noma will always be known as a loving Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother… “Grandma Kjar, the one with white-white hair” as she would often say. 

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the church at 950 North Main Street, Centerville, Utah. Friends and family may call Friday, July 12 at Russon Mortuary at 295 North Main Street, Bountiful, Utah, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. as well as on the 13th at the church from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.  

Noma is survived by her children: Son, J. Gregory and wife, Susan Marcum Kjar; daughter, Kristin and husband, Gregg Ostrander; son, W. Scott and wife, Stana Smoot Kjar; daughter, Susi and husband, Gordon Mabey; and son, Kevan and wife, Anita Esplin Kjar. Noma & Joe are blessed to have 26 grandchildren, 77 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page and on this obituary page. The live stream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below.