Naomi L. Wilson
December 28, 2013
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Service Details
Naomi Lorene (Weeda) Wilson was born March 3, 1923 to Lawrence and Florence (Overholtzer) Weeda on the family farm between Tingley and Mount Ayr, Iowa. Naomi was the fourth of five children born into this Weeda family: Dayle, Eleanor, Doris, Naomi and Doyle. Naomi grew up working on the farm, helping with livestock, gardening and household needs.
Naomi graduated from high school in 1940 and attended teachers’ college in Marysville, Missouri. She returned home to help her parents, along with teaching grades 1 - 8 for 13 ½ years in a one-room schoolhouse.
On June 24, 1955, Naomi married Lawrence and lived in Des Moines in one of the many homes he built. On August 25, 1959, they welcomed a daughter, Kristy Sue, into their home. From 1965 to 1975, they opened their home and their hearts to foster children.
Naomi worked as a Home Health Aide for over 30 years, caring for the elderly, shut-ins and the disabled. Naomi taught Sunday School and Caravans for many years at Eastside where she was active until her death. She took care of “her” babies in the nursery every Sunday morning for over 50 years.
Naomi enjoyed making quilt tops for My Brother’s Keepers organization to provide quilts for those in need. She also enjoyed her flowers, plants and birds! In 2007, Naomi was the recipient of the State of Iowa’s Character Counts Award for Citizenship.
Naomi is survived by her daughter, Kristy Sue (Steve) Young; two step-daughters, Marilyn (Gale) Perkins and Gladys Ann (Don) Obedier; two grandsons, Kaleb and Kevin Young; one great-granddaughter, Kameryn Nicole “Kami” Young; six step-grandchildren, Dita, Laurie Ann, Alan, Gary, Susie and Kevin; 15 step-great-grandchildren; and three step-great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Family was very important to Naomi.
Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, January 2, 2014 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 3 at Eastside Church of the Nazarene, 1451 East 25th Street. Burial will follow the funeral at Tingley Cemetery in Tingley, Iowa.
Naomi requests memorials be made to Eastside Church of the Nazarene or Taking It To The Streets, Ministry to Homeless, PO Box 404, Greenwood, MO 64034.
Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Mike Shields
01/02/2014
Christy & Steve,
Very sorry to learn of Naomi's passing. Our family has enjoyed getting her birthday & Christmas cards over the years. It seems as though she never left anyone out. May you find comfort in The Lord and celebrate the life she lived here on earth.
Rod Shields
01/02/2014
Christy,
So sorry to hear about your Mom, she was a special lady. I regret that Carolyn and I are not able to attend the services, we are in Arizona. Ronnie called me Sunday afternoon when we were in route to Arizona pulling a travel trailer that needed to be delivered.
We are thinking about you and your family!!
Best wishes,
Rod & Carolyn Shields
Richard and Carolyn Reed
01/02/2014
Naomi Wilson represents the personification of commitment and the Christlike life. As her pastor for 19 years, we remember her total dedication to Christ and the "call" upon her life - it was a "call" to reach and touch as many lives as possible through her compassion and care for those who were struggling and/or needed a helping hand. The great majority of her ministry was "behind-the-scenes" and done anonymously. In our 19 years of knowing Naomi we experienced her love for others in a variety of ways and she never expected nor wanted to be recognized. She always displayed a spirit of humility and grace as she touched the lives of the infants, toddlers, and kiddies that were placed in her care in our church nursery.
The parents always knew that their "little angels" were in safe hands when left with Naomi. No matter the weather or her own health issues she was always loyal and faithful to what she considered the "high calling" of making an investment in the lives of others. Only eternity can properly evaluate the enormous contribution she has made to the Kingdom of Christ. "Well done, My good and faithful servant", from the Heavenly Father to His daughter are fitting words for such a wonderful lady. To God be the glory for such a grace-filled life.
Kimberly Durbin
01/02/2014
How do you say goodbye to someone who has meant so much to you? Naomi or as I called her...Nomi was the best woman I have ever known. She gave and taught me so much and asked for so little in return. She was always giving of herself, her time and her love. I have so many memories of her and they will keep me going the rest of my life! She taught me to be the woman I am today and I loved her more than words can express and will be forever grateful for her love in return. I praise God for bringing this woman into my life, having her welcome me in...and my children; and for being there and loving us all unconditionally. Naomi you will be missed, but I know you are at rest now. Please tell Lawrence hello and that I love him and miss him.
I will never forget you!
Love you,
KIM
Tisha Davis
01/01/2014
Have wonderful memories of Naomi, she was my Great Aunt but always remembered us with a card for birthdays, and at Christmas time she always had a sack of goodies for us. Thank you for the memories and being such a sweet and caring person, she will be missed.
Linda and Denny Anderson
01/01/2014
Naomi was such an inspiration to us. She had such a Godly spirit. She was always there to greet us when we brought our little ones down to the nursery. We still have the blankets she made for our sons. Heaven just gained another giant. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Kristy and family.
David Weeda
01/01/2014
Some memories I have of Naomi are that she was always doing or making things for others, such as when I was at home with my five siblings Naomi would bring us boxes of used clothing and shoes that we would rummage through and always made good use of. At family gatherings Naomi would make her million dollar red velvet cake, that I'm sure she knew I loved! There were a few times in the summer we would stay overnight in Des Moines at Aunt Naomi's, with the sounds of trains, trucks and cars I didn't know how any one could ever sleep. The ice cream truck would come down the street and Naomi would always let us get treats on a hot summer day. I also remember one year when we took 4-H show sheep to the state fair, there had been some kind of trouble and there were Military Police everywhere. They would not let anyone stay in the sheep barn overnight so Dad took me to Naomi's in the middle of the night to stay and the next few days she would drive me back and forth to take care of the 4-H sheep.
These are a just a few of the many fond memories I have of Aunt Naomi.
God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, no crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away Rev.21:4
Allen Kalsem
01/01/2014
Dear Grandma Naomi,
You will definitely be missed! You are the most caring, and most thoughtful person I know. It is truly a privilege to be able to call you my Grandma. I will miss coming over to your house in the summer when we would mow your yard, and you would have a huge feast waiting for us when we were done. I will miss your wonderful cooking. Especially your cream peas and Jello, you always knew those were my favorite. I will miss the homemade cakes you would make for people's Birthday's, that you would let them decorate. I will also miss receiving cards from you. This past year we sort of became pen pals, you would write me and tell me about your week and how the Iowa weather was treating you, and you would always ask how I was doing and give me words of encouragement. I would then write you back, and we would go back and forth like this for months. I always looked forward to hearing from you.
You have taught me a lot over the years, and were always there when I needed someone to talk to. I wish it wasn't time for you to go yet, but I know you are in a better place now. Heaven has gained a very special angel. Say Hello to Lawrence for me. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers as well as Kristy and other friends and family.
It's not Goodbye, It's until next time.
Love Always,
Allen
Luann Rowat
12/31/2013
I enjoyed the many years of having Naomi as one of my patrons at the Des Moines Public Library.
She recently told me that I was her best friend. I truly feel that having her in my life was an honor as well.
I will miss seeing her come in and light up with joy when a new book came in for her!
Ron and Rose Brown
12/31/2013
You will be greatly missed by all who knew you. She was a godly servant who never knew a stranger- always giving to others. She is finally Home with her Saviour and Lawrence.
Raymond & Donna Shields
12/30/2013
As a young boy, I always looked forward
to staying with Aunt Naomi. For a farm
kid, it was a real treat to visit in the 'big city' and Naomi always made our stay
special. She let us walk by ourselves to
the swimming pool and had cookies, pie and great treats for us. She was one
terrific cook! But her very best 'specialty' was always sending birthday and anniversary cards to all her family.....even the great nieces and nephews. And, you
were never too old to get a card! She
always remembered and there was a
handwritten note in each card with a
message to the recipient. Her Christmas
cards were not texts nor e-mails but pretty cards addressed by hand in her lovely
penmanship. I was always the lucky one to get a tin of her homemade Spritz Christmas cookies! Family was very important to
Naomi and she enjoyed the picnics and
get togethers with all the extended
families. A very special lady who will have
a special place with the Lord. Our sympathy to Kristy, Steve and family. (Lam.3:22-24)
Michelle Engle
12/30/2013
Miss Naomi was such a blessing to our family, & God used her in a monumental way to bring our family to Eastside. Being a new mom it was very hard for me to leave my twins anywhere with anyone, & when we added their baby sister 11 months later it became even more difficult for me to trust anyone with my little ones. We would take them to the nursery of the church we were attending in Newton, as soon as we walked through the door they would begin crying, eventually turning into screaming. We would then get summoned back to the nursery where we would either stay for the rest of the service, or we would try to take them back to service with us, ending up sitting in the foyer. We were invited back to Eastside during a Revival service, & of course by this time we were ready to stop going to church all together because of the whole situation. Well, we were convinced to try it "just once"...we showed up to Eastside, took our babies to the nursery, dropped them off in Miss Naomi's arms, went up to service & never heard from the nursery the whole time. When we went to pick them up, they were smiling, crawling around & playing. We thank God for Miss Naomi & the peace He blessed her with, that she was able to pass along to the babies she lovingly cared for in the nursery at Eastside Church of the Nazarene. We will miss you Miss Naomi! Kevin, Michelle, Lee, Glendon, & Gabrielle Engle
Darron Miller
12/30/2013
Every Friday at 9 AM, Naomi came to church to help fold the Sunday bulletins. She would ring the door buzzer and many times enter the church with her hands full. If there were donation baskets in the foyer for items to be dropped off for missions or any other need, she helped supply for the needs of others. She never came on Fridays without also bringing a yummy treat for the staff to eat. Many times she would bring in a news paper clipping to share a story or a joke or cute riddle. Naomi enjoyed humor and laughter. She was always excited to have Kristy and family home or to get to go and visit Kristy and family. One moment I know she enjoyed was either this past fall or the fall before when she shared how Kristy drove her around the city of Des Moines to see the fall colors and enjoy the pretty leaves on the trees as they were turning. Kristy drove her to places around the city that Naomi hadn't seen for a while and Naomi loved it! Naomi cared about people and showed that by making quilts for the homeless and many other behind the scene things that we will never know. Naomi was a class act "Lady." Many children have passed through Naomi's nursery at church. We will miss you Naomi. You quietly slipped out of our lives on December 28, 2013 but your imprint of love and unselfishness will always be in our hearts. Thank you, Naomi. I will miss you! Your friend, the church office guy, Darron Miller