Naoma Lillian Tischner Openshaw
1925 ~ 2012
Naoma Openshaw, our loving mother and sister passed away peacefully the evening
of January 20, 2012 in Saint George, Utah.
She was born May 17, 1925 in Riverton, Utah, the eldest child of Elorum
Michael Tischner and Amanda Ruth Beckstead.
Naoma spent her early life in Riverton enjoying the blessings and
struggles of rural living during those challenging years.
At the age of six, the family moved to Santiquin, Utah where she attended
school both at Santiquin Elementary and Payson High School.
It was while in Santiquin that Naoma met her eternal companion Richard Dale
Openshaw. Richard’s father was the
Bishop and Naoma’s father served as one of his councilors.
Richard and Naoma were married in the Salt Lake Temple March 5, 1943.
Shortly after their marriage Richard enlisted as a Seabee with the United
States Navy and was stationed at Pearl Harbor and Naoma served as a welder in
the Oakland California Naval shipyards.
Following World War II, they resided in Magna, Utah where Naoma and Richard
worked in the auto parts business.
They enjoyed many wonderful years in Magna where Naoma and Richard were involved
many ward and stake callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Richard later opened an Independent Insurance Agency where Naoma served
as his secretary and bookkeeper.
In her role as “mother” she brought four children into mortality so that they
would have the opportunity to have a body and demonstrate their commitment to
keeping the commandments of the Lord.
The children of Richard and NaOma are Richard Lynn (Jeanne Hartvigsen),
Dale Kim (Anita Evans), Kerry Layne (Shannon Peterson), and Cindy Ann (Brad
Watson). The family enjoyed working
together on various yard projects, family vacations, holidays, birthday parties
and attending the various music and athletic events together.
Upon retirement Naoma and Richard moved to Saint George, Utah.
They loved the association with their new friends and continued to
constantly maintain friendships from the years they lived in Magna.
During Naoma’s years in Saint George she was active in various charitable
events. Naoma served as an LDS Temple ordinance worker, Temple receptionist,
Temple organist, organist for her ward choir and the Ridgeview Gardens nursing
home. She was a member of the Dixie Regional Hospital Guild, receptionist at the
Huntsman Cancer center, volunteer at the Huntsman Senior Games, Daughter of the
Utah Pioneers and spent many years as a “Member Location Missionary” for The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
She was still serving in these organizations until
the last few of months of her life. She was a magnificent example of motherhood
and womanhood to its fullest extent. It
can truly be said of her: “Well done,
good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will
make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”
JST Matt 25:21
Naoma is survived by her three sons, Richard, Kim, and Kerry, along with 17
grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren, her four brothers, Delaun (Gerry),
Glade (Janine), Dale (Sharon) and Paul (Spring) Tischner, and her two sisters
Lola (Verl) Svedin and Darlene (William) VanZyl.
Naoma was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Richard, her
daughter, Cindy, a grandson, Cody Openshaw, her parents Elorum and Amanda
Beckstead Tischner, and Laveene (Bud) Webb, a sister.
Funeral Services will be Friday, January 27, 2012 at 5:30 PM at the Morningside
Stake Building, 881 South River Road, Saint George, Utah.
A viewing will be held prior to the services from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM at
the same location. Interment will
be in the South Jordan City Cemetery located at 10630 S. 1055 W. at 2:00 PM
Saturday January 28, 2012. Online condolences: www.peelfuneralhome.com
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