Naomi R. Nelson

Celebration of Life Service for Naomi R. Nelson will be held on Friday, January 11, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Holdrege, Nebraska with Pastor Jan Gluth King, officiating.  A private family burial will be held in the Moses Hill Cemetery in rural Phelps County, Nebraska prior to the service.

Naomi Rae (Lehman) Nelson, 89 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Monday, January 7, 2019 at the Christian Homes Care Community in Holdrege.  Naomi was born August 4, 1929, on the family farm, north of Bertrand in Phelps County, Nebraska, the eldest of four children born to August C. and Frieda D. (Deppe) Lehman.  Naomi was baptized and confirmed at the Hope Lutheran Church, northwest of Bertrand.  She received her primary education from District #33 Ash Grove School in Phelps County, and then graduated from Bertrand High School with the class of 1946.

Following her education, Naomi was united in marriage to Wayne E. Nelson of Loomis, Nebraska, and to this union two children were born:  Donn and Karen.  Their daughter, Karen preceded them in death in infancy.  The family made their home on a farm near Loomis, where they engaged in farming and raised livestock.  Besides supporting her husband, Wayne on the farm, she also focused her efforts raising their son, Donn.  After Donn graduated from high school, Naomi was employed by Phelps County Memorial Hospital as a nurse's aide.  In 1988, the couple moved into Loomis.  On January 17, 1993, Naomi was preceded in death by Wayne.  Naomi continued to reside in Loomis, until she began to make her home at the Christian Homes Care Community in Holdrege.

In her younger years, Naomi enjoyed gardening, and the harvest of her labors from the garden were always canned for the winter.  She was wonderful cook, and in her spare time she loved China painting.  Naomi was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.  She loved to entertain the family for family gatherings, and her grandchildren have many fond memories of being with Grandma and Grandpa playing on the farm.

Her involvement in several community, social, and church activities at Bethel created many friendship bonds through the years, which she treasured her entire life.

Besides her parents; husband, Wayne, and daughter, Karen; Naomi was preceded in death by her son, Donn in 2011; three brothers:  Quentin Lehman; Calvin "Cal" Lehman and his wives:  Ginny and Pat; and Duane "D.J." Lehman; brother-in-law, Dale V. Nelson and his wife, Arlene; a nephew, Brad Nelson; and a special companion, Harold Sand.

Naomi leaves to celebrate her life; her two granddaughters:  Jessica Sundquist and her husband, Chris of Holdrege; and Tessa Wells and her husband, Nate of Kearney, Nebraska; five great-grandchildren:  Zac and Carson Sundquist; and Drew, Katie, and Sara Wells; sister-in-law, Asako Lehman of Honolulu, Hawaii; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 10, 2019 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Naomi's honor, and kindly suggested to the Loomis Volunteer Rescue Squad, or the Bethel Lutheran Church.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.