Our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother and best friend, Naomi Auman, passed away Oct. 2, 2025, in Chehalis, Washington, at the age of 93.
Naomi was a beloved, kind and devoted Christian woman. She was born Aug. 14, 1932, in Twin Falls, Idaho. At age 16, she lost her mother, Mary Willis-Smith. In November 1949, she married Robert (Bob) Auman of Kosmos, Washington. Four children were born to their union: Mary Jo Johnson, Roberta (Vincent) Yamamoto, Paul (Sharon) Auman and Rick (Shelli) Auman. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
While their children were growing up, Naomi and Bob lived in various Lewis County towns, always making friends wherever they went. Naomi especially enjoyed their years in Glenoma and Randle, where she made many lifelong friends and embraced country living — hiking in the Gifford Pinchot Forest, riding bikes, gardening and seasonal canning.
A devoted and skilled homemaker, Naomi was also a talented seamstress, sewing annual wardrobes for her daughters and shirts for her sons, and contributing to the many chores of life on a family farm. After their children were grown, the family moved closer to Chehalis. Naomi attended South Puget Sound Community College and became a certified pharmacy assistant, working at several hospitals and retail pharmacies before retiring. She also earned an Associate in Technical Arts degree in Management Training from Centralia College and worked part time as a bookkeeper for her husband and sons’ business, R&R Construction.
After retirement, Naomi and Bob lived across Idaho and eastern Washington, continuing to make friends wherever they went. As age caught up, they returned to Lewis County, settling in Onalaska to be near their children.
Naomi enjoyed reading, attending live theater, sharing recipes, seeing friends, growing flowers — especially dahlias — picking wild berries, and being a member of the Seattle Children’s Orthopedic Guild. She loved visiting the beach, digging clams with family and friends, and attending county and state fairs. She and Bob also raised thoroughbreds as a hobby, and she was especially proud of her mare, Cherie.
Above all, Naomi loved her family deeply.
Naomi was preceded in death by her husband, parents and siblings. Her family extends heartfelt thanks to the Assured Hospice staff and her caregivers at Silver Acres I for their excellent care of Naomi and their support of the family.
A celebration of life will be held at Bethel Church in Chehalis, Washington, on Nov. 16, 2025, at 2 p.m. A reception will follow the service.
Donations may be made in her honor to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://donorservices.alz.org or to the White Pass Country Historical Museum, P.O. Box 958, Packwood, WA 98361.
