Linnea Naven

The force of nature, Linnea Johnson Naven, passed into her eternal peace surrounded by her family in Omaha, Nebraska. Try as it might, her literal heart just could not keep up with her figurative one.



Linnea began her life in Corning, Iowa, but grew her family in Bellevue, Nebraska. She and her beloved husband of 56 years, Norman, raised three kids- Jim, Sheila, and Jerry. She worked for many years, touching the lives of countless children, as a kitchen manager for Omaha Public Schools. In retirement, they indulged their love of travel and poured themselves into their 12 grandchildren, and the 13 great grandchildren that followed. Eventually they bought a second home in Mesa, Arizona, to both avoid the cold Nebraska winters and spend more time with family. A few of her more memorable trips were a few weeks in China, a month in Australia by way of Fiji, and cruises through the Panama Canal, Canada, and Alaska. Travel was her favorite and she let nothing get in the way of it. She went to 20 countries and all 50 states.



Affectionately known as "Grandma Naven" to nearly everyone who met her, she made everyone feel like part of the family. The cliche holds true for her: we'll all remember how she made us feel, long after we forget the words she spoke. Friends of her children and grandchildren all called her Grandma Naven, for how she made them feel. She was a frequent sight on the soccer,baseball, softball, and dance sidelines. Any person who sat next to her for any period of time would find themselves regaled with stories of grandkids. If you were Linnea’s kid, grand kid or great grandkid you knew nobody was prouder than her. She was proud of every accomplishment big or small.



In her later years, Linnea became an avid and expert scrapbooker. She created gorgeous books for all her family members, and many friends. She felt strongly that we should not forget the people and places important to us. In doing so, she ensured we would never forget her, too. Another of her favorite pastimes was hitting the poker rooms! She loved being the old woman at the table surprising and beating the younger people. She could also often be found snuggled up on her couch watching NASCAR, her beloved Suns, and whatever other sports game was on TV.



Preceded in death by her husband; parents, Earl and Rita Johnson; sister, Judy Billings. Survived by children, Jim (Donelle) Naven, Sheila (Jeff) Lang and Jerry (Paula) Naven; 12 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren; extended family and friends.



Words in a memorial do not do her justice. We all hope she's surrounded by "the best ever" of everything, can feel our continuing love, and is living her best life. A force of nature like her deserves nothing less.