Naomi J. DeBoer

Naomi Joyce DeBoer, 95, of Independence, Missouri died peacefully on December 28, 2023 after living a full life.  Naomi was born in Wichita, Kansas in 1928 to Jack and Violet Riner. Naomi graduated from Wichita High School, met and married Russell DeBoer, then worked various jobs before landing her career as a switchboard operator at Southwestern Bell (later AT&T).  Naomi proudly served as a union steward at work and was active in the Jackson County Democratic Party. Naomi, her husband Russell and their three children spent summer vacations fishing in Minnesota. Naomi hosted Christmas for her family at home.  As the family grew in her later years, Naomi generously welcomed every new relative and their offspring as if they were part of the family all along.  Naomi bought Christmas gifts for every person (sometimes over 40 people) and had drawings for additional gifts, making Christmas chaotic and totally unforgettable fun. After Naomi retired from AT&T, she generously treated her adult children and their families to vacations in Hawaii, Las Vegas, and Wisconsin.  Naomi and her daughter Vickie later took many trips to Washington DC, Miami Beach, New York City, Hawaii, and other places around the country. Naomi was a devoted and spry “grandma” who enjoyed getting down on her hands and knees to play with her grandchildren and even with her great grandchildren.  She was an adventurer who parasailed in Hawaii and ziplined in Las Vegas in her mid 80’s and stayed in her own home until she was 93.  Naomi enjoyed spending time with her family, talking with anybody, reading the newspaper with her coffee, visiting with neighborhood friends, watching movies, doing her own yardwork and home maintenance, and occasionally making trips to a casino.  Naomi was preceded in death by husband Russell and sisters Dorothy Creighton, Esther Wilson, and Jean Roots. Naomi will be greatly missed by her daughter Vickie (Kenny) Kilgore of Excelsior Springs, MO, and sons David (Betty) DeBoer of Onalaska, WI and Hank (Donna) DeBoer of Blue Springs, MO; grandchildren Robert Davis, Casey Davis, Cory DeBoer, Emily (Kilgore) Brownsberger, and Jenny (Kilgore) Burnett, Natalie Uhlemann, Renee DeBoer, Christopher Miller, Curtis DeBoer, Jeff DeBoer, Brandi Hankins and Tiffany Smith; plus many great- and great-great grandchildren. The family would like to thank the Addington Place of Shoal Creek, Valley Manor and Rehabilitation Center in Excelsior Springs and Three Rivers Hospice for their care towards the end of Naomi’s life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you please send donations to your local Salvation Army or Three Rivers Hospice.

Naomi’s family invites all family and friends to Naomi’s visitation at Speaks Suburban Chapel (18020 E. 39th St. S., Independence, MO) on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, from 9 to 10 am followed by a graveside service at 11 am at Oak Ridge Memory Gardens (18301 E Salisbury Rd, Independence, MO). Please bring your fondest memories of Naomi to share if you care to do so.