Naomi Been

Naomi Leontine (Minnick) Been, 88, passed away January 2, 2016 surrounded by loved ones at the Des Moines Mercy West Lakes Hospital. Services will be held at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, Iowa with visitation Tuesday, January 5 from 5 to 7 p.m. and the funeral service on Wednesday, January 6 at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery in Mt. Ayr, with a 2:00 p.m. service at Armstrong Funeral Home.

Naomi was born July 23, 1927 in Ringgold County, Iowa to Emmel and Faresta (Hanks) Minnick. She graduated from Kellerton High School in 1946 and then received a Limited Teaching Certificate from Creston Junior College. Naomi was a teacher for two years in Rural Schools in Ringgold and Decatur Counties. She had many stories about experiences at these country schools .... including being locked in the coal shed by some of her “rather ornery students”!

On July 5, 1947 Naomi married Milo H. Been at Creston, Iowa and they had 68 wonderful years together. This marriage was blessed with the birth of their daughter, Melody Kay on April 20, 1948 – the apple of their eye!

Milo’s work took the family to various towns throughout the state. Melody relates that she attended kindergarten at three different communities (Hancock, Bloomfield and Kellerton). In 1954 the decision was made to move to Des Moines where Naomi was employed at Katz Drug as a lunch counter waitress. From there, she went to work as a Verityper at Addressograph -Multigraph. Her final place of work for the next 38 years was National Travelers Life Insurance where she retired in October of 1997. Naomi enjoyed each and every job she ever had. She was always known to be a dedicated and loyal employee.

Naomi may have only had one child of her own, but, she lovingly became “Aunt Omi” to many nieces and nephews. Oh, the fun stories they tell of being with her.... such as wearing her rain bonnet at the first sign of a sprinkle...always siding in with the kids to eat at McDonalds...testing out toys Santa brought to the kids...such as shooting baskets, riding the Razor Scooter and playing golf on the new Wii game.

Some of Naomi’s favorite past times included reading, bird watching, latch hook, listening to and singing along to old and new favorites, attending the ISU football games and travelling nine times to her favorite place.....HAWAII. Topping the list was the time spent with Milo, Melody, friends and family. Everyone was always welcomed to “The Three Beens” warm and beautifully kept home, whether it be on the South side of Des Moines for 34 years or the West Des Moines townhome they moved to in 1993.

Naomi is survived by her husband, Milo “Mike”; daughter, Melody; sisters-in-law, Darlene Minnick of Mt. Ayr, Iowa, Lillian Been of Palm Harbor, Florida, Nila Been of Goodland, Kansas, and Doris Been of Belmond, Iowa; brother-in-law, Don Donner of Augusta, Georgia; nephew, Eddie Alan Minnick on her side of the family; and many nieces and nephew on the Been side of the family; and a host of friends and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Edward Minnick; father and mother-in-law, Harley and Leona Been; brothers and sisters-in-law, Mark Been, Mac Been, Merle (M.C.) Been, Chuck and Margaret Dutton, Bud and Maudeene Swinehart, Earle and Marribell Schulz, Max and Marilyn Tindle, and Mardell Donner.

Memorials may be directed to Kellerton Iowa Alumni Association, Tingley Community Center, Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Association, American Lung Association, or to your choice of recipients. Condolences may be expressed online at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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