Naomi Rae Janssen

Naomi Rae Janssen, 86

Naomi R (Nelson) Janssen of Ely passed away on Sunday September 27th, 2020 at Carefree Living in Ely peacefully with her loved ones by her side.

Naomi was born February 17, 1934 in Thorton, IA to Charles and Alma Nelson. She went on the mission field with her parents as a child during the depression in the hills of Kentucky. After several years they moved to Burt, IA to pastor where she met a member’s son whom she fell in love with. She was united in marriage to Morris Janssen on October 22, 1954. Morris and Naomi went to Sioux City, IA for bible school.  They packed up their car and moved to Ely in 1955. The first church they pastored was a little church of 10 people in Ely. They remained pastoring there for 40 years building the church up to 200 members, which is now the Ely Gospel Tabernacle. As the pastor’s wife Naomi always had a pot of coffee on and fresh baked goodies on her table ready for visitors. She also played the organ for services and took part in organizing many of the Christmas programs the kids would put on each year and taught kids Sunday school.  Besides being a pastor’s wife in her early years in Ely she delivered milk, she also drove a school bus for 28 years for ISD 696 retiring in 2000.  After retiring from ministry they were able to have their own home where they resided until moving into Carefree Living.

Naomi was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great grandma Oma and friend.  Her family was her pride and joy. From hosting holiday dinners or just baking in the kitchen she was always cooking for her family. Her favorite goodie that she baked was probably her chocolate chip cookies , when those came out of the oven you could bet her grandkids were over there eating them before they were even cooled off. Naomi also loved to sew and enjoyed making matching dresses and little tuxedos for her grandkids for Christmas and Easter. She was one of the few left that would still play the accordion and would love to have people over to play music either in town or at the cabin.

Naomi is survived by her loving husband Morris of 67 years, daughter Dawn (Chuck) Lukas of Merritt Island, FL, son David (Jennifer) Janssen of New Ulm, MN; Her grandchildren Jillian (fiancé Darren Lija) Manning, Ammie (Casey) Peterson, Carter (Jessica) Manning all of Ely; Bethany and Nathaniel Janssen of New Ulm, MN; great grandchildren Beau Peterson and Sophia Manning of Ely, two step great-grandchildren Mackenzie and Mitchell Peterson of Ely; sister Mary Lou Swanson of Askov, MN; brother Paul (Leanne) Nelson of Rochester NY, sister-in-law Betty Nelson of Rice, MN, and  her foster daughter Elaine Havens (who lived with them for seven years) along with many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Phillip Nelson, brother-in-laws Gordon Swanson, Lloyd Janssen, and Leroy and sister-in-law Viola Janssen.

The family would like to send out a thank you to the staff at Carefree Living Memory care unit for taking such great care of Naomi.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, October 2nd, 2020 at 11am at the Ely Gospel Tabernacle with visitation taking place one hour before the service at church. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home.

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