Naomi Jean Komatar Lawrence

Naomi Jean Komatar Lawrence, 95, of Port Byron, Illinois, passed away on Sunday, April 14, 2024.  

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Monday April 22, 2024, at Christ the King Catholic Church in Moline, Illinois. Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m. Sunday April 21, 2024, with a rosary to be recited at 4 p.m. at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., Moline.  Burial will be at Moline Memorial Park Cemetery in Moline. Contributions may be made to the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House in Bettendorf, Iowa, or to the National Cancer Society.

She is survived by her son, Mark F. Komatar; her daughter, Diane Komatar Crow (Mike, deceased 5-19-2016); granddaughter, Rowan Crow Currie (Michael); great-granddaughter, Juliet Rose Currie; niece, Karen Komatar Collier; nephew, Frank Komatar; and niece, Amy Goodnight (Jeff).  Naomi was preceded in death by her husband, Frederick A. Komatar, of 42 years on May 8, 1991, and by her second husband, Elmer E. Lawrence, of 27 years on December 20, 2022.  Also preceding her in death were her parents, William and Mary Wells; her sister, Ina Wells DeSchepper; and her brother-in-law, Keith R. DeSchepper.

Born in Colfax, Iowa, on July 17, 1928, Naomi Jean Wells moved around Iowa much of her childhood as her father worked for the Rock Island Lines.  The family settled in Silvis, Illinois, where Naomi attended United Township High School in East Moline, Illinois, graduating in 1946.

Naomi was a gifted artist since she first picked up a pencil.  In high school she worked on and designed the Key Newspaper and the 1946 Skyline Yearbook.  She attended Blackhawk College, taking art and anatomy classes, and St. Ambrose University, studying watercolor and calligraphy.  As an artist, Naomi was a member of Left Bank Art League; Studio 15; Beau Arts in Davenport, Iowa; Artists Unlimited; and she was a member of the Iowa Watercolor Society.  She also created artwork for the Putnam Museum, and she volunteered at the Festival of Trees and at Trinity Hospital as a member of King’s Daughters.  Naomi had many friends of all ages who loved her and affectionately called her “sister” and “Mom.”

Naomi loved to travel and she went on many wonderful trips with each husband: to England, Ireland, and Germany with Fred, and to Italy, Japan, and Hawaii with Elmer.  But Naomi’s favorite place to vacation was at the Rocky Mountains in Estes Park, Colorado.  There, she said, she felt closest to God.  Now she is with her Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ, and if there are mountains in Heaven, we know she is hiking there now.  Until later, Mom…

Memories may be shared online at esterdahl.com.