Nancy was born in Marshfield Wi to Ida and Emil Jaeckel, the youngest of eight children.
Their home was on RR3, then City Limits Road, what it is now, Lincoln Avenue.
Nancy’s tomboy life was filled with nature, and she was usually found tagging along with her big brothers, to catch minnows, shoot bb guns and eat green apples (yes, and smoke corn silk cigarettes). She was taught at an early age to respect nature and to remember that we are guests on the planet. Her love of trees never waned, and she, as many know, was vocal about this.
Nancy graduated from Marshfield Senior High and St. Joseph’s School of Nursing. She, along with her husband Mike, were parents to Patrick, Mitchell, and Amy, who survive.
Michael’s death occurred suddenly in 1996, and their lives were never the same. Patrick has a daughter, Allison (Debbi), and a son, Michael (Carey). Mitch is father to Nathan and Autumn (Melony). And Amy, with Kent, are parents to Molly (Matt) and Chase. Nancy’s first great granddaughter Matilda was born to Molly and Matt in September 2024.
Nancy pursued her nursing degree in her thirties after being out of school for many years, working full time and raising three kids. She went on to enjoy a career in nursing. She worked St. Joseph’s Hospital in the Birth Center, then later as a Public Health Nurse for the Wood County Health Department, where she retired.
Part of Nancy’s career was being the SIDS Liaison for Wood County. This position proved rich with new perspectives and experiences. Learning about how people processed grief became very important to her and she expanded that to do educational series with many groups.
Nancy felt honored to mentor young women who needed to build self-esteem, working with domestic abuse survivors, and any young person who needed community. She asked that these people pay it forward.
In 2000 she met Howard Dupont, and Nancy and Howie found a treasured piece of land in Cary Bluff, near Marshfield where they designed and had a “green home” nestled in a red pine forest, doing all the wood finishing to complete their home.
Another gift was being a “bonus mom” to Howie III, Laurie Zeimet (Chris)and Michelle (Brian).
More gifts came with more grandchildren, Keely (Jason), Christian, and Zoe.
Cary Bluff is where the family fished, kayaked and paddled boarded and picked buckets of blackberries for pancakes and pies.
More than one family reunion was held, complete with tents, stories, songs, and fireworks. On their beautiful screen porch, they spent countless hours appreciating birds and the ever-changing flora, as well as welcoming their many guests. Inside, Howie and Nancy enjoyed treating their loved ones to many special dinners.
Trips were also on their agenda, including Greece and Italy, but the place that called them the most was the Southwest. Several weeks were spent each fall in the Santa Fe area with its surreal landscape and friendly people.
2022 Found Nancy and Howie releasing their beautiful land to others who would treasure it and moving to a cozy home in Marshfield. Nancy and Howie faced challenges that they navigated together until Howie passed in November of 2023.
Anyone who knew Nancy knew of her passion, for anything that was important to her. One never had to guess what she was thinking, she was right there, honest and clear….no games. But she also held a very quick wit which she was very well known for, she really believed that with some well-placed and appropriate humor, everything was manageable.
Nancy’s grandchildren were her trophies. The talks she had with them often were talks not shared with their parents…..for it is said that grandchildren and grandparents have a secret society. True. Nancy especially could get “anything out of them” while swimming in the pond 🙂 she loved the conversations that were so priceless.
Nancy has one treasured brother remaining, Glen Jaeckel, and his wife Sandy.
Nancy and Julie Turchi established a close relationship in 2018. And Julie’s friendship was a gift to Nancy, Howie and the families. Nancy and Julie made a life filled with adventure and fun…..and later with healing and the acceptance of Nancy’s transition to the next plane.
Thank you, Julie and Tom.
Nancy’s wish is for you to love….to be kind to each other…. to smile when you think of her…to laugh when you remember her craziness….. to live.
Nancy: “Recently I asked myself when my last best day was….. maybe we should make each day our last best day, … just in case.”
Nancy’s dance with cancer is now over….it began in 2009. She was able to keep everyone entertained while having multiple treatments and two stem cell transplants over the years.
She always credited her “village” headed up by her children and Julie. She has assigned them all with the important duty of paying it forward…. with a helping hand, a kind word.
Anyone who wishes to donate in Nancy’s name could do so with Trees.
Nancy’s family and friends would like to extend love and gratitude to Dr. Isaac Yeboah and his staff as well as the caring staff at The House of the Dove.
A gathering for family and friends will be on Monday, November 4, 2024, from 9:00 am until a Celebration of Life for Nancy at 11:00 am at Rembs Funeral Home, Marshfield. Kathleen Rulka will officiate. The service will be streamed online at www.facebook.com/rembsfuneralhomes. The Wisconsin Nurses Honor Guard will conduct a final tribute at 10:45 am on Monday at the funeral home.
Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com
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Author: News Desk
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