Naomi Leontine Petersen Olsen was born August 19, 1908 at Hardy, Nebraska. She died February 4, 2002 at the Fairbury Heritage Care Center, at the age of 93 years, 5 months, 15 days.
Naomi was baptized October 4, 1908 and confirmed June 8, 1924 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Ruskin, Nebraska.
After her schooling she followed her sister, Nina, to Omaha, Nebraska finding employment as a maid for a doctor & his family. She worked there for two years & then returned to Ruskin to be married to Sheldon Olsen on June 10, 1936 at Bethany Lutheran Church. To this union two daughters were born Elinor & Cheryl.
They farmed in the Ruskin area until 1951 when they moved to Fairbury, Nebr., following a tornado that damaged their farm. Naomi worked at the Greenwood Nursing Home for several years. She also took in ironing and washing. She played the organ at American Lutheran Church for many years.
She was a charter member of Faith Lutheran Church in Fairbury. Becoming active in the women's group and quilting. After she no longer was able to quilt she threaded needles for the ladies. She also enjoyed crocheting for family and friends. She also enjoyed playing the piano at the nursing homes in Fairbury until her health no longer permitted, but she continued to play the piano at Park View Manor for gatherings until June of 2001, when she moved to Heritage Care Center.
Preceeding her in death were her parents, nine brothers and sisters, husband Sheldon, son-in-law Roger Swartz, sister and brothers-in-law.
She is survived by daughters Elinor & husband Richard Krause of Fairbury, Nebr.; Cheryl Swartz of Fort Collins, Colo. Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren: Kenny & LeAnn of Brandon; Kristen Krause of Fairbury; Kent & Susie, Nickole, Madison, McKenzie Krause of Wawaka, Indiana; Amy & Jim, Steven and Gina Devor of Western, Nebr; Terri Swartz & Troy Hilderman of Eaton, CO; Cheri & Kevin and Abbey Shaw of Denver, Clo.; and Shane Swartz of Denver, Colo.; sister-in-law Grace Christensen of Sutton, Nebr. Naomi is also survived by special friends Hilda Eggert and Bob & Vera Cossel of Fairbury , the quilting ladies, numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
(as printed in Naomi's funeral service bulletin).