Neomi was born, raised, married and passed away peacefully from pancreatic cancer in Hilmar, Ca. The youngest daughter of the town Blacksmith, Neomi, was born in the first house built in Hilmar Township, which still stands today. She received all of her education at Hilmar Schools graduating from Hilmar H.S. in 1939. She was involved with sport activities, cheer and drama. Upon graduation she was a nanny for a neighbor. In 1941 she married Orville Elmquist and they had 60 beautiful years together until Orville passed away in 2001. They raised 4 children; Wally, Renie, Carolyn and Gini. A special joy in her life was when Neomi became a grandmother and great grandmother. Neomi was a life-long member of Hilmar Covenant Church. She was involved in youth group activities and programs, Ladies Aid, Covenant Women and sang in the Choir. She also was involved with PTA. As her teenage children grew, she worked outside the home for Nelson’s Drapery until her retirement in 1982.
Neomi was a great baker (with specialties being cardamom rolls, chocolate chip cookies, English toffee, potato cake, apple pie and carmel popcorn). She generously shared her baked items with others. When the children were young and in their early teens, she loved going to the lake, waterskiing and camping both in the mountains and by the lakes. The family spent summer vacations at Mission Springs during Family Camp attending up to and including this past July with 4 generations. She loved being with her family and watching her grandchildren and great grandchildren grow up. She loved to entertain friends and relatives, garden and to go fishing. Neomi and Orville traveled in their RV a lot spending time with their many friends in their later years. She had this distinct whistle that she could do with her hands that no child (including her own) could figure out. She loved playing games, keeping her mind active with word search and became an avid reader in her later years. She read her Bible and prayed daily.
Neomi is survived by her children; Renie (Dick) Bergstrom, Carolyn (Jim) Brown and Gini (Claude) Gunsch; sister Laverne Nelson; sister-in-law Emogene (Hilding-deceased) Elmquist; Grandchildren: Dan (Cari) and Darin (Sarah) Bergstrom, Colby (Kristine) and Brady Gunsch, Jaime (Aaron) Piazza and Coree (Brian) Fitzgerald. Step Grandchildren John, Kevin and Maelyn Hewitt. Eight Great-grandchildren: Emily, Matt, Ellie, Kailee, Olivia, Isabella, Brody and Dylan; 5 step great- grandchildren, 9 step great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son Wally and daughter-in-law Kay Hewitt; parents Charlie and Agnes Mord and siblings Lucille, Weldon and Everett Mord.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11 am Sat. Sept.13, 2014 at Hilmar Covenant Church. Reception immediately following. A private burial will be held. In lieu of flowers remembrances may be sent to Hilmar Covenant Church Memorial Fund, PO Box 340, Hilmar, Ca. 95324 or Hospice of Emanuel, PO Box 2124, Turlock, Ca. 95381. Please share your memories at
www.AllenMortuary.com
