DEVENDORF, Naomi 1903-1994

DEVENDORF, CLARK, KELLY

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 11/19/2016 at 18:09:20

Naomi Devondorf Services Held

Naomi C. Clark Devendorf, of Des Moines, formerly of Grundy Center, passed away Thursday, March 17, at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, of natural causes, having attained the age of 90 years, 7 months and 20 days.

Graveside funeral services were held Saturday, March 19, at Rose Hill Cemetery, Grundy Center, at 2 p.m. with Pastor George L. Gibson officiating.

Memorial may be directed to the United Methodist Church, Grundy Center.

Naomi Celeste Clark was the first child, and only girl, born to John and Winifred (Kelly) Clark on the Clark farm 2.5 miles northwest of Grundy Center. Her first name, Naomi, and middle name Celeste, were taken from the first names of Winifred's two best friends in high school. Naomi attended Grundy Center Schools and Gates Business College in Waterloo. After leaving Gates, she spent a short time as a receptionist for Dr. Bartruff in Reinbeck and as a sales clerk in millinery shops in Charles City and Marshalltown.

In 1923, she went to work as a sales clerk in the millinery department of Wolf's Department Store in Des Moines. She advanced to the position of buyer for all main floor accessories and remained at Wolf's until her retirement in July of 1968, completing 45 years of service.

In 1927, Reverend F. W. Winslow married Naomi to Ted Devendorf, son of Louisa Devendorf of Des Moines, in the parlor of the Clark home. They remained married for 35 years until Ted's death in Florida while on vacation. Following her retirement in 1968, Naomi moved to Pasadena and then Gulfport, Florida. In October of 1990 she moved to Des Moines, where she lived at Mercy Court.

In July of 1982, she visited Iowa to attend a Clark reunion held in her home to celebrate her 80th birthday. Approximately 50 descendants of John and Winifred Clark attended the reunion held in the Grundy Center Community Building.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church, Grundy Center.

Naomi was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ted; and 4 brothers, Marvin, George, Delbert and Lucius.

Survivors include several nieces and nephews.

The Engelkes-Abels Funeral Home, Grundy Center, was in charge of the arrangements.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 24 March 1994, pg 7