Naomi Veronica Kraft

Naomi Veronica Christilaw Kraft, 93, of Moore-Few Care Center in Nevada, Mo., died Nov. 27, 2010, after a long illness. Mrs. Kraft was born in Glenwood, Pope County, Minn., on March 18, 1917, to Mathew Erwin Christilaw and Caroline Strand Christilaw. Naomi Kraft graduated from Glenwood High School in 1935 and was active in the glee club, opera club and honor society. Upon graduation from high school, Naomi Kraft worked as an executive secretary for the President of Northland Electric Supply in Minneapolis, Minn., and attended the University of Minnesota a short time and graduated from the Minnesota School of Business in Minneapolis. Later, Naomi Kraft worked as a legal secretary for 25 years for the Honorable Don W. Kennedy in the law practice and as his legal secretary and, also, when he was Vernon County Circuit Court Judge in Nevada, Mo., until her retirement.

Naomi was married on Sept. 12, 1942, at McKendree Methodist Church, Nashville, Tenn., to George Willhite Kraft, who was a pilot and commissioned officer for the U.S. Army (now Air Force) during World War II. George Willhite Kraft preceded her in death on Dec. 25, 2004.

Naomi Kraft was an active member of the United Methodist Church, Nevada, and participated in the church choir for many years singing solos and duets at times and particularly solos or duets for "The Messiah" presented at Christmas time. Also, she was a member of P.E.O., Chapter DW, and the Athenas. After her retirement in 1979, George and Naomi took several trips throughout the Continental United States.

Naomi Kraft is survived by one daughter, Suzan Ann DeNeen and her husband, James F. DeNeen, of Joplin, Mo.; two grandchildren, James Scott DeNeen and his wife, Whitney, Tulsa, Okla., and Mary Suzan DeNeen Jones and her husband, Michael, Webb City, Mo.; four great-granddaughters and one great-grandson, Karsun Paige DeNeen, Kelsey Bren DeNeen, Ayden James DeNeen, Elizabeth Louise Jones, and Ruth Anne Jones; her sister, Lavone Andrews, Sacramento, Calif.; and nieces in California. In addition to her parents and husband preceding her in death, she also was preceded in death by one sister, Alva Christilaw Leraas.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 4, at the United Methodist Church, Nevada, with the Rev. Ralph Clark officiating. Interment will follow in Newton Burial Park, Nevada. Friends may call now and until the hour of service and the family will receive friends at the church.

Those who may wish to contribute to a memorial fund may do so to the United Methodist Church, Nevada, in care of the church or the Ferry Funeral Home or to a charity of one's choice.