Naomi A. Bruns - Obituary

Naomi A. Bruns, 84, of Chappell, NE passed away February 10, 2019 at Ogallala Community Hospital. Visitation will be from 4:00-6:00 P.M. Thursday, Febrary 14th at United Methodist Church in Chappell.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, February 15th at The United Methodist Church in Chappell with PMA Brenda Tophoj officiating. Burial will follow in the Chappell Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in Naomi's name to Adopt-A-Dog Animal Rescue, Inc. 16730 US Hwy 30, Chappell, NE 69129 or Kowanda Church, c/o Wes Paulsen, 16711 Rd 40, Oshkosh, NE 69154. You may view Naomi's Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at http://www.gehrigstittchapel.com.

Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is in charge of Naomi's care and funeral arrangements.

Naomi Bruns was born in Oshkosh on January 25th, 1935. She went to school in Garden County and later in Chappell, where she graduated. She married Gary Lee Bruns on February 25, 1953. They lived in El Paso TX where Gary was stationed in the Army and where their first two children were born. In 1956, they moved back to Chappell to work on the family farm where they raised five children.

Naomi worked selflessly as a mother and farm wife and spent countless hours preparing meals for family, friends, hired men, strangers and the many who called her Mom. Some of her signature dishes were goulash, hamburger soup and the best gingersnap cookies ever made. Naomi had a green thumb and became a Master Gardener later in life. She was active in Garden Club and served as a judge at the Deuel County and Cheyenne County Fairs for several years.

Naomi's zest for life led her on many worldly adventures including Brazil, Ireland, Panama, Jamaica, and Mexico where she would make lifelong friends and come back with outrageous stories and usually a new purse. Her fun-loving spirit connected her with all generations, and she enjoyed talking to anyone willing to listen. She embraced change, experiencing the full spectrum of life from being born in a sod house to mastering modern technology as a tech savvy grandma. Life was a celebration for Naomi – she found the beauty in everyday and was truly grateful for her farm home oasis surrounded by her well-tended gardens and fruit trees. She cherished evenings on the veranda watching the sunset, moon and stars with her soulmate Carroll.

As a pioneer of the community, she will be missed by many and will be remembered for her friendliness, her kind heart and jovial spirit.

Naomi is preceded in death by her father James File, mother Lillian Knerr, step-father Lowell Knerr, brothers Larry, Kenny and Everett Knerr, husband Gary Bruns, grandson Benjamyn Bruns and best friend Veronica Derry.

Naomi is survived by her children: Carol Carter, Allan Bruns, Bob Bruns, Barbara (Mark) Kepler and Nancy Bruns, grandchildren Adam Carter, Laura Lavaley, Aaron Carter, Jen Rosado, Erica Korpi, Garrett Greene Bruns, Jason Kepler, Travis Kepler, Jillian Kepler, Josh Baers, Megan Baers Schalch and Alex Dunlop, great grandchildren: Keira and Ashton Carter, Hayden and Branson Lavaley, Lexie Bruns, Elaina Kepler, Lucy Diaz-Baers, and companion Carroll Gerber.