Naomi Ruth Leising

Naomi Ruth (Dettmer) Leising, age 91, of Blue Hill, Nebraska, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Saturday, February 10, 2024. She was born in Kensington, Kansas on July 5, 1932 to Karl Louis and Frieda Dorothee (Dunkhas) Dettmer.

Naomi was baptized at First St. John’s Lutheran Church in Kensington, Kansas on August 21, 1932 and confirmed along with her sister, Nelda Jean, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Arapahoe, Nebraska on June 1, 1947.

Her parents farmed near Stamford and Hendley, Nebraska prior to moving to Arapahoe, Nebraska in 1945.

After graduating from Arapahoe High School in 1950, Naomi attended the Hastings Beauty Culture Academy and received her beautician and cosmetology license. She worked at beauty salons in Holdrege and McCook before marrying Richard Leising at Trinity Lutheran Church on June 28, 1953.

Naomi and Richard resided in Arapahoe where they raised their four daughters – Katherine, Khristine, Connie, and Patti. In 1977, Naomi began working again as a hair stylist in Kela’s Beauty Salon in Arapahoe and, for several years, owned and operated Naomi’s Beauty Salon. After closing this business in 1984, she worked in the Oxford and Arapahoe nursing homes, assisted with Social Services, delivered Meals on Wheels, volunteered at the Mission Mall, and served as President of the Red Cross. She was a faithful member of Trinity Lutheran Church where she was active with the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League.

In September of 1999, Naomi moved to the Good Samaritan Village in Hastings, Nebraska where she remained active by volunteering in the cafeteria at Mary Lanning Hospital, helping out at both the diner and thrift shop at the Good Samaritan Village, and organizing a Koffee Klatch with several ladies every Saturday morning at McDonald’s. She was a member of The Red Hat Society and enjoyed driving her golf cart around the Good Samaritan Village. She was a member of Peace Lutheran Church and was active with the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League.

In October of 2020, Naomi moved to The Pines at Blue Hill Care Center where she resided until her death.

Naomi loved baking, sewing, crocheting, knitting, embroidery, playing cards, bingo, and dominoes as well as reading, gardening, jigsaw puzzles, watching game shows and cheering for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. And, of course, she loved her coffee!

Naomi was preceded in death by her parents, husband Richard, and daughter Patti (Leising) Phillips. She is survived by daughters Katherine of Aurora, Colorado, Khristine (Terry) Kauk of Valley Center, Kansas and Connie (Alan) Johnson of Blue Hill, Nebraska, granddaughter April (Michael) Duff of Warwick, Rhode Island and grandson Theron Kauk of Snohomish, Washington. She is also survived by five nieces and nephews, eleven great nieces and nephews, and fourteen great-great nieces and nephews as well as many relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 15, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, Arapahoe, Nebraska, with the Reverend James Moshier, officiating. The service will also be live streamed on the Trinity Lutheran Church’s Facebook page. Interment will be held at the Arapahoe Cemetery following the service.

Garey Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences or personal reflections may be left at gareyfuneralhome.com or sent to The Family of Naomi Leising, Attn: Connie Johnson, P.O. Box 397, Blue Hill, NE 68930. 

Memorials have been designated to the LWML at Trinity Lutheran Church-Arapahoe or the LWML at Peace Lutheran Church-Hastings.