OGALLALA — Naomi Grace Sudbeck, 6, Ogallala, died Jan. 11, 2025, at home, surrounded by her family. Visitation was Jan. 16 at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home, Ogallala, with a rosary and wake service at St. Luke’s Catholic Church, Ogallala. A Funeral Mass was Jan. 17 at St. Luke’s Catholic Church, with Fr. Suresh Bandha and Fr. Bryan Ernest concelebrating. Services were also live streamed at prairiehillsfuneralhome. com. Interment of cremains will be held at a later date. There is absolutely no possible way to list, explain, describe or adequately communicate the accomplishments of 6-year-old Naomi Grace Sudbeck. She was born Oct. 1, 2018, at University of Colorado Hospital, Aurora, Colo., to Luke and Tara Sudbeck, Ogallala. Her entrance into the world was solemn. Naomi was born with a genetic disease that tainted her birthday, because she wasn’t expected to live for more than a few hours or days. She surpassed physician expectation and took her first breaths on her own and into her baptism within her first day.

Naomi spent many months in and out of the hospital, and one would expect those experiences to be described in detail as the main premise of her life’s victories. However, they were not what defined Naomi. Many called her a “miracle magnet.” Escaping tragedy was a gift that she had, as she kept parents and medical staff on their toes. Every set-back, regardless of how devastating it was, was matched with an equally astonishing come-back. She never met typical childhood development milestones, but she was never meant to be “typical.”

Nay-Nay’s life was deeply moving, where each day was truly a gift, and her smile was the well-placed bow ... cuter than any of the many bows she chose to wear. Her presence carried a force greater than that of a Nebraska thunderstorm, and subtle enough to parallel the blue sky shining through the leaves of a branch, that she often stared into. She had the capacity to see into one’s heart and open it just enough to make them smile, despite their own affliction.

Some may say her medical challenges made her “poor.” Her parents would often hear, “It’s so sad she has to go through that...poor thing...” Those that truly knew her, knew she was never once “poor.” She was a flower so open to each sunburst. Just as most strive to live fulfilling lives, she never had to search to find the good in existence, because she appreciated all that she experienced, minus the occasional session in her activity chair. She was undoubtedly a gift to anyone who appreciated contagious joy. She manifested as a life-breath for anyone grappling with doubt. She moved mountains in the midst of peaks and valleys, and caused them to appear as a sunny stroll in her wheelchair.

Naomi never had to speak the word of God with her mouth to show you it was real, and simply perfect in all its grandeur. Her little hands would reach to you if you reached out to touch hers. If you ever felt this, you felt the power of God and his promises. Her dainty fingertips touched many hearts. Her classmates loved her, and included her without skipping a beat. Though her time in school was short, it was enriching, and those around her made it so. After growing up in the hospital, school was a beautiful time with joy, laughter and learning. It was what all children want.

Naomi will be remembered as a sweet little girl with a contagious smile and long eyelashes to curtain her unique gray eyes. She fit right in with the princesses she loved, especially the Little Mermaid. It was not rare to see Naomi shed a tear when a soft and gentle song with a sad melody would play; coating those lashes with empathy. This would often occur in church at the times she wasn’t singing or yelling in joy.

In the end, she made it known that her time on earth was coming to a close, and she was ready to be with Jesus. Her victory was no longer in the battle. After the long drive from Children’s Hospital in Aurora, Naomi opened her eyes as the car hit gravel on her road. Home. After washing away the hospital, and massaging out the conditioner, she was tucked in. Daddy tucked in all sides of the blanket as he always did. Mommy lay next to her noticing no familiar sound of medical machines, but of the Little Mermaid Song, “Part of Your World,” coming from her i-pad. It was then that she took her last breath, stood, and ran to Jesus.

Her strength and tenacity was second to her pure love of her surviving little brother, Jude, and older sister, Mia Rose, and many grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Those include grandparents, Marcel and Deb Sudbeck, and Charles and Linda Krajewski; Luke’s siblings, Zach and Elizabeth Sudbeck and their three children, Harper, Wesley and Olivia; Taylor Sudbeck, and his children, Austynn, Ramsey, Graham and Nolan; and Haley Sudbeck; Tara’s siblings, Brandon Krajewski; Brian Krajewski; and Elizabeth and Jay Rietcheck, and their three boys, Judson, Jax and Jhett.

She was preceded in death by her older brother, Huckston David; her great-grandmother, LaVonna Krajewski; and her great-grandfathers, David Lake, Gerald Meirose, Edwin Krajewski and Norman Sudbeck.

A memorial has been established in Naomi’s memory for later designation.