Naoma Openshaw

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