Naomi Evelyn Linnell

Naomi E. Linnell (nee Seim), resident of Hastings, Minnesota, passed away on January 21, 2013. She was born in Willow Lake, South Dakota on January 22, 1927, daughter of Andrew and Annie (Nelson) Seim. She attended Willow Lake High School, and was a graduate of Augustana College, Sioux Falls, South Dakota with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. She also did Graduate Studies at the University of Minnesota and Sacramento State University. She was united in marriage to John Vernon Linnell on July 3, 1949 at Pleasant Lutheran Church in Vienna, South Dakota. He preceded her in death in 1978. Naomi taught English Literature at several schools in California, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Iowa. For many years, she was the Assistant Director of the Division of College and University Services in Higher Education for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. She worked as Liaison with ELCA college/university boards, and provided leadership development among women of ethnic cultures. She worked with foreign projects, including the UN Nairobi Conference on the Decade for Women. She participated in the World Federation Consultation on Peace Studies in France. She was a former member of the World Wide Women Task Force. Naomi also was a member of a number of professional associations, including the National Association of Women Deans and Councilors, and the National Women�s Studies Association. The Honorary Doctor of Human Letters Degree was conferred on Naomi by both Capital University and Wittenberg University. She also received The Exemplar Medallion from California Lutheran University. She is survived by her three children; John (Barb), Mesa, AZ, Erik (Stacie), Hastings, MN, and Anna Louise Linnell (Dave Muther), Decorah, IA. Grandchildren are Zachary and Ariana Linnell of Chatfield, MN, and Tyler, Zachary, and Jordan Peterson of Hastings, MN. She is survived by her two sisters, Ruth Helgen, Minneapolis, MN, and Anna (James) White, Indianapolis, IN, and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral service 11 am Tuesday, January 29, 2013, at Mount Olive Lutheran Church 3045 Chicago Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55407 with visitation one hour prior at church. Interment at a later date.