Iona Joy Naumann

Iona Joy Naumann, 94, beloved mother, wife, cherished sister and aunt, faithful friend, passed away peacefully on August 25, 2026.  She leaves behind a legacy of love, faith, creativity and resilience.

Iona was born January 13, 1932 in Wray, Colorado to Julia and Ray DeGarmo.  Her faith was foundational to her strength of character and was expressed through her lifelong service in the Nazarene Church. In fact, Iona met the love of her life, Glen Naumann at Denver First Church of the Nazarene when he was in the Air Force during the Korean War.  They married and made a life in Pueblo raising three children.

Iona worked hard to provide a loving home, cooking, sewing matching dresses for her girls and their dolls, canning, and orchestrating fun camping vacations which always included extended family and friends. Iona’s creativity was a hallmark of her home: her piano playing provided the soundtrack for her family. Her poems, baked goods and sewing creations are remembered fondly.  She created a beautiful and welcoming home for family and friends, hosting Bible studies until her last days.

Iona was a diligent and respected employee outside the home.  When her children entered high school, she returned to work with District 60 as an Administrative Assistant to ensure her children could attend college, an opportunity she had not been given.  There she embraced the new world of computers and spreadsheets.  She brought home her computer skills and was able to discover her family’s genealogical history.

After her beloved husband of 51 years died unexpectedly, she showed a deep resilience. She regrouped, downsized, and welcomed family and friends into her new home.  Never one to be idle, she threw herself into the exacting art of China painting and many volunteer positions. Iona kept fully engaged with all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  They all had meaningful and deep connections with their grandmother and will carry fond memories of fun, loving times together.

In honoring Iona Naumann, we remember a life lived well, with faith, deep love and selfless giving of herself.

Iona is survived by her children, Jeanine (Ken) Ward, Sharon (Duane) Remmenga and Kevin Naumann;  sister, Idella Kercher; grandchildren, Joshua (Courtney) Remmenga, Stephanie (Matt) Barrow, Shaun (Margaret) Remmenga, Jesse Remmenga, Elyssa (Chris) Patterson, Nathan (Leah) Ward, Eric (Rachel) Ward, Jacki (Nicolo) Kehrwald, Cody (Tausha) Naumann, Casey Naumann, Calen Naumann and 16 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation, 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, in the Montgomery & Steward Funeral Chapel. Memorial service, 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, at First Church of the Nazarene, 84 Stanford.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Church of the Nazarene, 84 Stanford Ave., Pueblo, CO 81005 http://www.pfcnazarene.org

Online condolences, www.MontgomerySteward.com