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EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- Naomi Ruth (Gresser) Austrew, 89, of Evansville, Indiana, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, September 27, 2023.
She was taught of God and His Son, Jesus Christ, by her loving and godly parents and Sunday School teachers at First Church of the Nazarene and Grace Church of the Nazarene, Evansville, Indiana, and mentored by many friends and teachers through the years. She looked forward to meeting them all in Heaven.
Naomi was born in Solitude, Indiana, on March 6, 1934, to the late William J. and Ola (Ward) Gresser. She graduated from Rheinlander Grade School in 1948 and F.J. Reitz High School in 1952. Naomi worked at Groben's Wholesale Distributors and Whirlpool Corporation in Evansville before moving in 1970 with her husband to Gary, Indiana, where she worked at Inland Steel Company. In 1985 she and her husband Don retired to Gooseneck Lake, Hiawatha National Forest, Michigan, where she lived until the death of her husband in November of 2021. Naomi then returned to her hometown of Evansville to be with her family.
Naomi touched many lives during her time on this earth, and she took care of family in many ways. Although she had no children of her own, she was like a second mother to her nephews, Michael Welden (Donna), Jeff Gresser, Mark Gresser (Tina), Neil Gresser (Lori), Nathan Gresser, and John Gresser (Janice); and nieces, Crystal Noak, Holly Kincaid (Scott), Rebecca Rohrscheib (Wayne), Kari Lane (Tim), and Lisa Meek (Bill). She was always trying to find advice she could give to help us navigate through life. The love of Jesus was shown through her life. She also had a love of cats, having had them as pets during most of her adult life.
Naomi faithfully attended Grace Church of the Nazarene since her return to Evansville, the church her parents were asked to start by the Church of the Nazarene.
Naomi is survived by her two brothers, David Gresser and Gilbert Gresser; brother-in-law, Don Welden; along with six nephews; five nieces; and many great- and great-great nephews and nieces.
Naomi was preceded in death by her husband, Donald E. Austrew; her parents, William J. and Ola (Ward) Gresser; sisters, Martha Niswender and Phyllis Welden; brother, Ralph Gresser; niece, Karen Welden; nephew, Paul Welden; sisters-in-law, Margaret Gresser, Joyce Gresser and Bobbie Gresser; and by her brother-in-law, Neil Niswender.
Naomi leaves us with this scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and she quotes this: "Do not mourn (for us) as for those who have no hope of the resurrection." Because "THE BEST IS YET TO COME!"
A celebration of Naomi's life will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at Browning Funeral Home, 738 Diamond Ave., Evansville, IN 47711 with Rev. David Gresser officiating. Burial will follow at Park Lawn Cemetery.
Friends may visit from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday, September 29, 2023, at Browning Funeral Home and again from 9 a.m. until service time on Saturday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Grace Church of the Nazarene, 5029 Broadway Ave., Evansville, IN 47712.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Linda E. White Hospice House for all of their compassionate care.
Condolences may be made online at www.browningfuneral.com.