Naomi Ruth Wood

Naomi Ruth Wood, 96, of Avondale, Arizona, formerly of Big Springs, Nebraska, passed away peacefully on June 10, 2025, at the Legacy House in Avondale.

Naomi was born on March 18, 1929, in Big Springs, Nebraska, to Roy C. Smith and Jennie M. (Simonsson) Smith. She graduated from Big Springs High School and went on to study at Nebraska Wesleyan University. Naomi was joined in marriage with Bruce Wood November 10,1949 enjoying 66 years before his passing November 29, 2015.

Naomi spent her working years in a variety of roles. During WW2 she volunteered at the North Platte Canteen. She taught country school and led the Big Springs School Lunch program. As co-owner/operator of two local restaurants she baked 15 dozen caramel cinnamon rolls every week in addition to cream pies and salads for the popular Sunday Smorgasbord.

Faith was central to Naomi's life. She was a longtime member of the Big Springs Assembly of God Church, where she participated Women's Ministries, taught Sunday School & Vacation Bible School, and attended Bible studies, finding joy in Christian fellowship and service. Naomi was a prayer warrior her days and nights were filled with prayer for family, friends and the nation.

Gardening was a great passion. She loved to pull weeds and rake leaves. Something was always blooming in Naomi's garden. She particularly loved roses, iris, peonies, dahlia and petunias. Her weeping birch tree was a treasured friend. Early in family life Naomi tended vegetable gardens canning produce for her family. The raspberry bushes and concord vines she planted with Bruce, were prolific. She preserved and shared raspberry jam and grape jelly with family and friends.

She was a skilled seamstress, sewing clothing for her daughters, costumes for plays, and creating beautiful quilts for her grand/great grand babies/graduates and as donations to the support of the Mennonite relief sales.

Naomi had a keen eye and a deft hand, She applied finishes to many of the woodworking and furniture projects Bruce produced.

She loved playing piano in personal worship. Scrabble was a favorite game and she was very competitive at Five Crowns.

After spending 93 years in Big Springs, Naomi moved to Avondale, Arizona, where she was lovingly attended by her daughter Janet and son Dale Turner. Most remarkably she embraced her new life with thoughtful courage. Her warm smile and amazing resilience quickly endeared her to the staff and residents of Legacy House of Avondale.

Naomi was preceded in death by her husband, Bruce K. Wood; her parents Roy and Jennie Smith; and three brothers, Ernest Smith, Lowell Smith, and Fay Smith.

Survivors include her children, Douglas Wood and wife Sue of Lincoln, NE; Janet Turner and husband Dale of Litchfield Park, AZ; Stanton Wood and wife Shirley of Los Lunas, NM; and Laurie Halvorson of Hemet, CA; grandchildren, Nichole Chambless, Branton Turner, Ryan Wood, Joni Griego, Elliot Wood, Eleanor Wood, Thomas Halvorson, Emily Hagen, and Alexej Halvorson; great-grandchildren, Zander Chambless, Karoline Turner, Luke Turner, Natalie Turner, Zachery Wood, Matthew Wood, Madeline Griego, and Cooper Griego, Harper Hagen, Rowan Hagen, Barrett Halvorson, Bridger Halvorson, and Boone Halvorson.

A remembrance service will be held on July 19th 2025,10:30 am at the Big Springs Cemetery where she will be laid to rest.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Big Springs Assembly of God Church Women's Group, in Naomi's memory. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com.