Arlene “Naomi” Roste, age 90, resident of McIntosh Senior Living, passed away on Tuesday, November 10th, at McIntosh Senior Living. A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service on Thursday, November 12th, at the Carlin Funeral Home in Fosston. Interment will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 14th, at Oak Hill Cemetery, Lawrence, KS.
Naomi was born August 24, 1930 in International Falls, Minnesota to Merrill and Sadie (Anderson) Deneen. Oldest of 6 children, in 1948 she married Edward “Eddie” Roste. They met at a dance in Canada and never parted again. They were talented dancers and that dancing kept them stepping to their own tune through 51 years of marriage that only ended with Eddie’s passing December 25, 1999. Together they bought a restaurant, Aztec Inn, in Lawrence, Kansas where they worked hand in hand for over 25 years.
While Naomi enjoyed running their restaurant, she still wanted to pursue a career in nursing. So, she obtained her CNA certificate and worked in a nursing home in Lawrence. As a CNA she also visited patients in their home which allowed her to participate in the care of her paralyzed son, Corky, until he passed in 2000.
The couple was gregarious and enjoyed many a Caribbean cruise where they entertained everyone with their swing dancing expertise. They were always the life of the party.
Nothing brought Naomi more joy throughout her life than “babies”. She loved babies with such unabashed passion that if we were out shopping and heard a baby crying she would seek out the squalling little one to hold and comfort. Though sometimes embarrassing, without fail the mother would just be grateful for the help.
In retirement Naomi was an avid bowler, bowling two to three leagues a week. She was also a member of the Red Hat Society and enjoyed many outings all over Denver where she resided with her daughter Colleen. Anyone who knew Naomi remembers her as a diehard Kansas Jayhawk fan who could raise the roof with her cheering (and cursing) when they were playing on TV. She was an avid reader and was known to read 3 or 4 books a week when she wasn’t taking down someone in a game of cards or cribbage.
As Naomi aged and she needed more help, she transitioned to Fosston, Minnesota where her eldest daughter, Bonnie, a nurse, resided and soon after entered McIntosh Senior Living. There she continued cheering on her beloved Jayhawks, reading and playing cards with anyone brave enough to take her on. She was a well-dressed lady to the end and always insisted on donning matching earrings and necklace each day along with her always immaculately painted nails which of course matched whatever colorful ensemble she put together.
Naomi is survived by a sister Leah Rae Knudson, brothers Dale and Roger Deneen; 5 children Bonnie (Oran) Underdahl of Fosston, Darold (Robin) Roste of Kansas City, MO, Colleen (Nino) Mendoza of Fosston, Julie (Jay) Hoffman of New Albany, IN, and Kyle (Leslie) Roste of Prairie Village, KS. 11 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.
Naomi was preceded in death by her parents, a brother Earl Deneen, a sister, Carole Cassibo, a son Corky Roste and a grandson Benjamin Bennett.
Messages of condolence may be shared at www.carlinfuneral.com or rumsey-yost.com.