Naomi Elizabeth Mathisen | Obituary

Retired primary school teacher Naomi Elizabeth Mathisen of Renton died on November 21, 2022 at the age of 95 at her home where she was 65.

Born in April 1927, Naomi grew up in the East Hill area of ​​Kent and graduated from Kent High School in 1945. She attended the University of Washington and graduated from the Pacific Lutheran University in 1949. She married her husband Lance in 1952 and enjoyed 51 years of marriage before his death in 2003.

She began her career at Boeing, where she worked as a public relations librarian for nine years before pursuing her true passion, raising children. She taught at the Renton School District until her retirement in 1990, influencing many young lives.

After her retirement, she enjoyed traveling with her husband, friends and family. Between cruises and Elderhostel tours, she has been very active in the Retired Teachers Association at both the local and state levels and has remained involved and productive for nearly 30 years.

Gardening and flowers were among her greatest passions. She tended over 60 planters on her patio each summer, tending them carefully and watching them thrive. Her love of flowers was often reflected in her wardrobe, where floral prints were a familiar theme. She was always stylish; well dressed with coordinating jewelry and purses.

But most of all, she was a loving, caring, and generous mother and grandparent. A presence at almost every family gathering, from piano recitals to little league games to holidays and Sunday Seahawk parties, she was a loved presence who always cared for others.

In her later years, she enjoyed watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, and was a huge fan of the Seahawks, Mariners, Golf, and March Madness, filling out her bracket each year.

Naomi preceded her husband Lance and brother Wes in death. She is survived by her sister Beverly, daughters Cheryl (Mark), Lori (Claude), grandchildren Jared (Stephanie), Lauren (Chase), Rachel, and Mike, and great-grandchildren Hadley, Easton, and Ella, and their soon-to-be fourth great-grandson.

The memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 4, 2022 at the Zion Lutheran Church at 25105 132nd Ave SE , Kent, WA 98042

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Renton/South King Retirees Mini Grant Fund, C/O Sue Perez, 1058 SW 152nd St. Burien, WA 98166, as Naomi spent many years reading grant applications and identifying recipients.