Jodi LeeAnn (Lewis) Naykki, 49, died November 4, 2024, in Duluth, Minn., from a brief but aggressive illness. Her loving husband of 24 years, Brian, was by her side.

Jodi was born December 7, 1974, in Fairbury, Neb., to Rev. Daryl and Sharol (Samp) Lewis, joining brothers Lynn and Troy. Jodi and her siblings attended a Christian elementary school run by their parents, and she graduated from Fairbury High School on May 16, 1993. She went on to study at North Central Bible College in Minneapolis, Minn.

At Inner City Church of Minneapolis, Jodi worked for 10 years with the children’s program and transportation ministry. But her main occupation—and her passion for more than 35 years—was her work as a childcare provider. She dearly loved the countless kids she cared for and frequently stated (on Facebook and IRL) that she had the “best job ever” and “I love my job!” and “LOVE LOVE LOVE what I do!”

Jodi married Brian Naykki on December 31, 2000, at Christ Church International, in Minneapolis. One of their favorite activities as a couple was traveling. Memorable destinations included Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri; Niagara Falls; Wyoming; and Las Vegas. Especially meaningful to them both were trips to Rapid City and Hill City, S.D., where Jodi enjoyed showing Brian where her dad had grown up; and to Ohio, where Brian arranged for them to have dinner with an Amish bishop and his family—a great fit with Jodi’s fascination with Amish culture. 

Jodi and Brian loved experiencing new foods together, either at home—Jodi loved to cook, and Brian says, “She put the ‘love’ in her cooking”—or trying out new restaurants. They enjoyed watching shows together or just hanging out. For two years they had fun being “Santa and Mrs. Claus” for area Christmas events, including in Ely, in Winton, and at Fortune Bay.

Jodi also loved reading Christian Amish books, watching Christian Amish movies, and spending time in person or by phone with her best friend Maria. 

Jodi was preceded in death by her father Daryl, brother Troy, stepfather George Slama, and grandparents Chester and Beatrice (Lewis) Crandall, Rob Lewis, and Melvin and Darlene Samp.

Jodi is survived by her husband Brian, of Babbitt, Minn.; and by her mother Sharol Lewis Slama; brother Lynn, sister-in-law Cheri, and nieces Anna and Gabrielle Lewis; nephew David Lewis; niece Celeste Lewis (Joel) Stanberg, all of Lincoln, Neb.; and by her uncle and aunt, Daryl and Judy Lewis, of the Denver, Colo., area.

May the memory of Jodi Naykki be a blessing.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 2 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Ely.