Naomi M. (Froseth) Nemec, age 85, of Spencer, passed away, with her family nearby, on Monday, Feb. 4, 2013, at the Golden LivingCenter in O'Neill.

Visitation was held on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013, from 5-8 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Spencer.

Memorial services were held on Friday, Feb. 8, 2013, at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Spencer with Pastor Inez Foster officiating. Music was provided by organist, Karen Haitt and guitarist, Dave Berkquist. A piano selection was played by Kristen Welling. Naomi's grandson, Collin Raye Nemec, played his guitar and sang his original arrangement of "Amazing Grace." 

Honorary pallbearers were her friends June Angel, LaVeda Stanton, LeAnne Hoffman, Kathy Hausmann, Jean Mellor, Sadie Wells, Mary Nelson and Helen Haun.

Inurnment will be held at a later date.

Brockhaus Funeral Home in Spencer was in charge of arrangements.

Naomi M. Froseth, daughter of Brick and Edna (Luedke) Froseth, was born on Sept. 26, 1927, at Spencer. She was baptized and later confirmed in the Methodist Church. She attended school in Spencer  where she met Ray Nemec. They both graduated in 1944.

After Ray returned home from two hitches in the Army they were married on Jan. 3, 1946. To this union three children were born,  Raylene in 1948, Neil in 1952 and Renice in 1960. Naomi and Ray bought a farm on the Niobrara River and continued to live there for 67 years. Naomi taught country school for four years at Eagle Creek, at District 14 and District 6. Naomi worked alongside her husband mowing and raking hay, tending to the irrigation system and growing a large vegetable garden every summer.

She worked many years as a waitress at the Niobrara Valley Steakhouse in Spencer. After it closed she was hired to be the head cook for the Spencer-Naper School. Naomi loved cooking for the students and worked there for 14 years. 

Naomi and  Ray loved to dance. If there was a band playing, they could be found there, side by side, on the dance floor. Naomi loved growing flowers and worked hard to provide for her family.

She was a Sunday school teacher for many years, sang in the choir, and was a staunch Methodist. She had a beautiful singing voice, which was heard at many church services and funerals. 

After Naomi retired, she and Ray slowed down and life was wonderful for about the next ten years. By the time Naomi was into her 80s, her health slowly failed. Ray and Naomi lived at the Highland House Assisted Living in Spencer for a year and then Naomi spent the last two months of her life at the Golden Living Center in O’Neill. 

Naomi is survived by her loving husband of 67 years, Ray Nemec; children, Raylene and husband, George Simon of Grand Island, Neil Nemec and wife, Nancy of O’Neill and Renice Bales of Fairbury; grandchildren, Michelle Rae Simon, Nikki Jo (Nemec) Pella, Ray Ray Nemec and Collin Raye Nemec; great-grandchildren, Lisa Mae and Kelly Rae Simon and Lindy, Haley and Trevor Pella; sister, Sandra Olson of Atkinson and a sister-in-law, Mildred Richter of Spencer.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Brick and Edna Froseth; her parents-in-law, Frank and Bessie Nemec; granddaughter, Rachel Rae Nemec; daughter-in-law, Linda Nemec and son-in-law, Barry Bales.

We will hold our memories of Naomi close to our hearts always.