Naomi Marie Hothem

Naomi Marie (Williams) Hothem, 81, of Sumner, Nebraska, passed away with celebration into Heaven Sunday, April 28, 2013, at Mt. Carmel Keens Memorial in Kearney. She loved getting ready for church and this was an especially great church day for her. Naomi was born August 8, 1931, the youngest child of twelve, born to Trever Tennyson and Lindsay Ann (Patterson) Williams. She graduated from Riverdale High School in 1948, and then earned her Teaching Certificate. She was united in marriage to Jake Hothem on December 24, 1949, near Lexington, Nebraska. Four children were blessed to this marriage; Greg, Cheryl, Leslie and Rochelle. She taught for a time at Park Valley School District #79, which was approximately 7 miles north of Sumner. Following Naomi and Jake’s marriage the couple settled into farming. Naomi was a faithful member of her church in Sumner and loved teaching Vacation Bible School and directing the choir. She absolutely loved children and enjoyed being the youth sponsor. Music was one of Naomi’s greatest loves. She sang in a quartet called “Redeemed” and enjoyed spreading the “Good news of Jesus” through her music ministry. She would hold several jobs throughout the years; mainly, Plectron Corporation in Overton, Walmart and the United Church in Sumner. Naomi volunteered with the American Red Cross Blood Mobile. As her health declined she took on another mission, that being at Mt. Carmel Keens Memorial Home where she shared the gospel, prayed and sang many songs as they all listened to her Christian music CD’s. Naomi was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and sister. We will miss her in our own special ways, but we celebrate for her. She is in Heaven! Thank you Naomi Marie Hothem for all you blessed us with. Naomi is survived by her husband of 64 years, Jake Hothem of Sumner, Nebraska; son, Greg (Kathy) Hothem of Sumner, Nebraska; daughters, Cheryl (Tom) Brazee of Hickman, Nebraska; Leslie (Dale) Hollibaugh of Omaha, Nebraska; and, Rochelle (Mike) Johnson of Waverly, Nebraska; twelve grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; sisters; Audrey (Norm) Naef of Winchester, Oregon; Doris White of Woodland, California; brothers, Thurman Williams of Eddyville, Nebraska; Johnnie (Dorothy) Williams of Coquille, Oregon; Marion (LaVaughn) Williams of Winchester, Oregon; brother-in-law, Dick Kleiber of Denver, Colorado; and, sister-in-law, Hope Williams of Overton, Nebraska. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Naomi was preceded in death by her parents; grandson, Brian; great-granddaughter, Angelita; sister, Lois Huff; brothers, Silas, Dwight, Stan, Bob and Bill; sisters-in-law, Luella Williams, Audrey Williams, Jean Williams, Bonnie Porter, Marjorie Potter, Esther Hothem, Susan Triplett and Rea Kleiber; brothers-in-law, Bill Potter, Charles Hothem, Roland Triplett, Harold Huff, Lloyd Porter, Glen Naffziger, and Joe White. Funeral Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, May 4, 2013, at 1:00 p.m. at the United Church of Sumner – East Campus with Pastor Ken Hutson officiating. Pastor Stan Murdoch will share his memories. Visitation will be held Friday, May 3, 2013, from 5-7 p.m. at the United Church of Sumner-East Campus. Burial will be in the Sumner Cemetery at Sumner. Memorials are suggested to the Naomi Hothem Memorial Music Scholarship Fund. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements. Please forward online condolences to the family through: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.