Obituaries : Naomi M. Yates

PALO: Naomi M. Yates, 92, a resident of Palo died Oct. 10, 2016, at her daughter's home after a lengthy illness. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, at the Palo United Methodist Church with the Rev. John Howerton officiating. Interment will be held at the Palo Cemetery. Visitation also will be held at the church fellowship hall in Palo from 5-7 p.m on Friday. Naomi was born Jan. 30, 1924, in Madison, WI to Ralph C. & Ruth (Moubry) Little. She was the second child with six more following. The family moved back to Palo, Iowa in 1926. She graduated from Palo High School in 1942. On June 6, 1942 she married her high school sweetheart Howard Yates at Trinity Methodist Church parsonage in Cedar Rapids, IA. Howard farmed with his dad Guy, and then on March 1, 1943 Howard and Naomi rented the Douglas farm off of Chain Lakes Rd. Palo, IA. They painted and fixed the house up and began to buy livestock to add to their farm, chickens, pigs, and milk cows. At this time most of Palo's young men were being drafted or enlisting into the military to help fight during WW II. So right after they got established in their farming operation Howard enlisted in the Navy. He served from Feb. 21, 1944 through April 1946. By this time they had a little boy Dale Lee. Dale stayed with his paternal grandparents. Naomi lived with relatives in Cedar Rapids and worked at Collins Radio until she was able to take the train to Pasco, Washington to join her husband, a baker. While she was in Pasco she worked at various jobs to bring in additional money. This helped to buy things to put in care packages she sent to her four brothers. And it allowed the young couple to bring out their young son and furnish daycare for him while she worked. Naomi was a farm wife, a working partner with her husband in their farming operation. She loved genealogy and helped her daughter Ruth compile family history. Naomi gave many presentations over the years sharing her love of aprons through her collection. The little lady loved life & treasured her family and friends and a good day was one spent with both. She belonged to Palo United Methodist Church for over 75 years where she was past president of UMW, Pork Producers, and Past Matrons and Friends. She was also Past Worthy Matron of White Lily Chapter no. 427 OES of Shellsburg, Queen of the Daughters of the Nile Eu-cha-rest Temple, and Past Worthy High Priestess of Gethseme Shrine. She and her husband Howard spent 17 winters in Mesa & Apache Junction, AZ before their health required them to stay home. Their last winter was 2004-05. Naomi & Howard celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with a family dinner in June 2012. Survivors include her daughter Ruth Kibbie; grandson Eddie Kibbie & wife Janet who have shared the same house with Naomi for 26 years; grandchildren Juliana Reisner and fiance Jeff Whipple; Steve (Carol), Jon (Sunee), James (Cindy), and Aaron Yates; Christina (Louie) Reedy; 17 great grandchildren and 18 great-great grandchildren; and daughter-in-law Ellen Yates. Naomi is also survived by her brother George Little & wife Frankie, brother Lawson Little, sister Linda Tilbury, sister-in-law Esther Little, & many nephews & nieces. She was preceded in death by her husband Howard 2012, son Dale 2014 & son-in-law Ed Kibbie in 2015. Also her parents Ralph & Ruth little, brothers Laurence, Glenn & Bob little, sister Mary Sue Wheeler, sisters-in-law Lavonne little & Lois Irene little and brother-in-law Earl Wheeler. Memorials may be made to the Palo United Methodist Church or a charity of the donor's choice. Phillips Funeral Homes is in charge of arrangements and condolences may be left at: www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com.