Naomi Buslaff Beerheide

Naomi Buslaff Beerheide, 83, formerly of Ripon, went home to heaven Tuesday evening, March 10, 1998, at the Mayville Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.

Naomi was born on October 4, 1914, in Green Bay, the daughter of Leon and Frieda (Lindner) Lambert. She was united in marriage to Arthur C. Buslaff on April 18, 1938, and they moved to Ripon in early 1939. Art was a 44 year employee of Wisconsin Power and Light Co. He preceded her in death on August 15, 1974. On June 30, 1979, Naomi married Arthur J. Beerheide and he preceded her in death on April 22, 1992.

She was a 59 year member of Grace Lutheran Church of Ripon, former Sunday School teacher, and member of the choir, Altar Guild and Naomi Circle. She was a 35 year member of Alpha Xi Delta; Gamma Mu chapter, and a former member & President of Beta Sigma Phi; Lambda chapter. Naomi was a former member of the Ripon Educational Club, Women’s Club, Home Garden Club, Several Bridge Clubs and P.U. Club, and was on the Ripon Memorial Hospital Board of Directors and a charter member of the Ripon Hospital Auxiliary (organized during WW II). She was involved in fundraising for The Foundation for American Principles and Traditions, which provided educational scholarships and was instrumental in having the Little White Schoolhouse (birthplace of the Republican Party) become a permanent historical site. She was also instrumental in establishing the West Fond du Lac County Mental Health Association in 1960.

She is survived by her son, The Reverend Bruce (Marlene) Buslaff of Ripon and daughter, Barbara Ann Kiskunas of Milton and her friend Alan Driscoll; step-daughter, Kathleen Rago of Gamills, MD and step-son, Thomas(Irene) Beerheide of Park Ridge, IL. She is further survived by 5 grandchildren,Lynne (Scott) Holland of San Jose, Ca, Jon Buslaff of Brandon, Lori (Robert)Jessel of Cedarburg, Steven (Elizabeth) Kiskunas of Janesville and Mark Kiskunas of Myrtle Beach, SC; and 4 great-grandchildren, Joseph Kiskunas,Sarah Kiskunas, Megan Holland and Alex Jessel. Surviving step-grandchildren include Thomas J. Beerheide of Park Ridge, IL, Capt Louis (Sharott) Rago of Hoenselds, Germany, Scott (Nadia) Rago of Hanover, MD and Lauren Rago of
Hanover, MD; and step-great-grandchildren, Marissa, Angelica & Gabriella Rago of Hoenselds, Germany and Alexander Rago of Hanover, MD. A sister-in-law, E. Virginia Lambert of Ridge, New York also survives. She was preceded in death by her 2 husbands, parents and a brother, Lee Lambert.


A service celebrating the life of Naomi will be held Saturday, March 14, 1998, at 11:00 AM at the Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home in Ripon with Pastor Paul Holte officiating. Visitation will be Saturday from 9 AM until the time of the service at the funeral home. A private family committal service will be held at the
Union Cemetery in Campbellsport. A Memorial Fund has been established.

The family wishes to sincerely thank the extraordinary personnel at Murray’s HomeTel in Ripon; Friendship Manor in Mayville and the Mayville Nursing and Rehab Center for caring for Mom with dignity and compassion.

Naomi’s kitchen was characterized by hot coffee, caring conversation and a tender heart. Written inside her book of addresses, phone numbers, birthdays, and anniversaries was this: “A life that touches the hearts of others goes on forever.”