Naomi Farner, 89, of Albany, Oregon, passed away at home on April 29, 2018. She was surrounded by family as she left her earthly body for heaven.
Naomi was born in Eldora, Iowa to Abe and Florence Richards. She was the fourth of six children. After graduating from Iowa Falls High School in 1945, Naomi traveled to Caldwell, Idaho, where she met her husband Eldon. They married in 1948 in Winnemucca, Nevada, and were looking forward to celebrating their 70th anniversary later this summer.
Before settling in Albany, where they raised their four children, Eldon and Naomi lived in Owatonna, Minnesota, as well as in Prineville and Nyssa, Oregon. Naomi was first a wife, mother, and homemaker. As the children reached school ages, however, she began work at the Albany Chamber of Commerce for two years before taking a job in accounts payable at the Albany School District until retirement.
Naomi was involved in Cub Scouts, the Timber Carnival, Faculty Wives, Women’s Ministries, and Evergreen Hospice. She followed Eldon in his love for the Oregon State University Beavers. She and Eldon were members of Hope Church (formerly First Assembly of God) for 44 years. She loved to paint landscapes, needlepoint, work in the yard, crochet, sew, work crossword puzzles, and read. She had an especially great love of young children and babies.
Naomi is survived by her husband, Eldon; children, Linda (Laverne) Stieglbauer; Monte (Jane) Farner; Ron (Patricia) Farner; Cindy (Greg) Loberg; Paula (Lonni) Roth; brothers, Larry (Mary) Richards; Dennis (Dorene) Richards; sisters-in-law Maude Patch and Naomi Richards; 11 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; and numerous nephews, nieces, and wonderful friends. Her brothers Albert and Laurel and sister Doris preceded her in death. A viewing will be held Sunday, May 6, from noon-3 p.m. at Fisher Funeral Home, 306 SW Washington St., Albany. Hope Church, at 2817 Santiam Hwy SE in Albany, will host Naomi’s celebration of life at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 7. If you care to make a donation in lieu of flowers, please donate to the missions program at Hope Church, Albany.