Wilma M. Naaf Obituary (1923 - 2020)

After enjoying a long full life, Wilma Maxine Naaf, age 97, died peacefully Sunday, October 4th, 2020 at the Beatrice Community Hospital (BCH). Trusting in John 14:1-3 "Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also." Wilma was born at home on July 12, 1923 in Oketo, KS to Everett and Ethel Graham. She graduated from Liberty High School in 1940. Wilma met her husband, Merlin P. Naaf in the living room of her home when he came to date her older sister. They were married on August 2, 1942 at the Ft. Snelling Army Base Chapel in St. Paul, MN after Merlin was drafted into the Army. They resided together in Albert Lea, MN and Manhattan,KS before finally making their home in Beatrice, NE where they lived together for most of their married life. Merlin and Wilma celebrated 56 years of marriage before his passing in 2009. Wilma was a homemaker and provided childcare while raising their three children. Wilma loved her family and was a dedicated wife to her husband and mother to her children. She also dearly loved her grandchildren, great-grands, and great-great grands whether near or far. She enjoyed encouraging and sharing her heartfelt love for each of them via cards, small gifts, and words of encouragement. Wilma always dreamed of becoming a teacher, but never had the opportunity to pursue the formal education required. Later in life, she was able to serve as a Foster Grandparent at Lincoln Elementary school in Beatrice for many years; an experience she deeply treasured. Despite not holding a formal degree in education, Wilma taught many valuable life lessons to her family and others. She knew and lived out the true meaning of contentment. She was quick to smile, tease, say 'thank you', or hold a hand to let you know she cared and was appreciative of those caring for her, even when her own health was failing. Wilma's greatest joy was children but especially those in her own her family who brought her such joy. Wilma is survived by two brothers, Maurice (Bud) Graham, Beatrice, NE, Larry (Judy) Graham, Sierra Vista, AZ, her children Jerry (Doris) of Boise, ID, Ronald (Glenda) of Beatrice, NE, and Julie (David) Freed of Lisbon, IA, as well as 7 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren (with two twin great-granddaughters due to arrive in only a few weeks), and 5 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Merlin, her parents, and two sisters, Nelva Robeson, and Donna Graham. Wilma was a member of the First Christian Church in Beatrice where she served in many roles including Sunday School teacher, Deaconess, and choir member. She leaves behind a legacy of faith which she inspired in her own family for whom she regularly encouraged and prayed for diligently over the years. In a notebook she left behind, she wrote the following: "My favorite bible verse was John 3:16, 'For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life' - so if we abide by this we know we have eternal life' God Bless!" A private family graveside service will be held at Mission Creek Cemetery on Friday, October 9, 2020 with Pastor David Bigley and BCH Chaplain Sharon Schuster officiating. Public visitation will be held from 2-8:00 PM Thursday at the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice. The family requests wearing masks at all public events listed. In lieu of a memorial fund or sending flowers to the service, the family suggests sending a small floral bouquet in memory of Wilma Naaf to either the Beatrice Kensington Assisted Living or Beatrice Good Samaritan Society-LTC to offer encouragement for the residents and staff who were a big part of her life the past 12 years. These services have been entrusted to the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice.