Naomi Firnhaber Karmeier

One of nine children, Naomi was born in Bloomfield, Nebraska to Karl and Elsbeth Firnhaber. Naomi’s family moved to Illinois in 1951 where she graduated from Vandalia High School. Naomi continued her education at Valparaiso University, when an introduction to her roommate’s brother, Del Karmeier, led to a lifelong sixty-six year partnership. They married on October 18, 1958 and together built a loving family, welcoming their son Kent and daughter Dianne into their lives. Their family grew further when they were blessed with Dianne’s husband, son-in-law Karl Buchholz, and two grandchildren, Peter Buchholz and Natalie Buchholz. Family was an aspect of life Naomi considered most important and was one of what she referred to as her three “F” words- Faith in her Lord Jesus Christ, Family both near and far, and Friends. Naomi was a devoted daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother, teacher, friend.

After Naomi, Del, and the children moved to Kansas City, Naomi finished her Bachelor’s degree at Avila College in Elementary Education, Learning Disabilities, and Behavior Disorders. She earned her Master’s Degree (while working full-time as mother and school teacher) in Learning Disabilities/Behavior Disorders from the University of Kansas. Naomi’s teaching career began in the Grandview school district where she taught from 1974-1980 and then continued as a Special Education teacher at the Spofford School from 1980-1991. Naomi and Del then moved to Hartford, Connecticut for three years where Naomi taught at the Grace Webb School within the Institute of Living. After moving back to Kansas City in 1994, Naomi resumed her teaching at the Spofford School and then retired in 1999. Naomi achieved memberships in the Council for Exceptional Children, Division of Learning Disabilities and Division of Behavior Disorders, the National Education Association, and the Valparaiso University Guild. She was a nominee for the Excellence in Teaching Award in 1986.

After retirement, Naomi and Del loved to travel. One of Naomi’s favorite destinations was Colorado, where she would stay for several weeks visiting her daughter, son-and-law, and grandchildren. She would drive or fly, but several times took the Greyhound bus. She was always up for an adventure! Del and Naomi spent much time in their heritage country of Germany, looking up Karmeier and Firnhaber relatives. Meeting Firnhaber relatives in Germany and helping to bring Firnhabers together for reunions was especially important to her. In 1998, she helped connect the USA Firnhabers with the German Firnhabers for a reunion in Schwabisch Hall, Germany.

Naomi was a talented seamstress, artist and musician. There are many pictures of the young Kameier family in matching outfits made by Naomi. Many of her crushed glass pictures, oil paintings, and stained glass pieces grace the homes of family members. She was a member of the Prairie Dulcimer Club, and she played the hammered dulcimer and autoharp with a group known as the Shady Grove String Band.

May memories of Naomi bring comfort to all who knew her. She is now healed, whole, and in heaven. A favorite Bible verse, one she said she would say every day, is “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it’” Psalm 118:24.

A visitation for Naomi will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1700 Westport Road, KCMO 64111 on Saturday, May 17 from 10:00-11:00am with a Celebration of Life service at 11:00am. A meal at the church will follow. The burial of ashes, or inurnment, will be at 1:30pm at Mount Moriah Cemetery, 10507 Holmes Road, KCMO 64131. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church (1700 Westport Road, KCMO 64111), Sing for Joy (1520 St. Olaf Avenue, Northfield, MN 55057), or the Lyric Opera Kansas City (1725 Holmes Street, KCMO 64108)