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Freedom - Nancy Ann Appleton, 78, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, December 6, 2021 at home, in the arms of her loving husband. She was the daughter of Myron and Lucina (Hartjes) Kerkhoff and was born on December 18, 1942 in Wrightstown, Wisconsin.
Nancy graduated from Kaukauna High School in 1961. It was there that she found the special people who became her group of lifelong best friends. It's also the time when she met and fell in love with her future husband. Nancy married her one true love, Daniel H. Appleton, on November 7, 1962. They celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary just this past month.
After several years of being a supportive, loving wife and mother to her 2 children, Nancy re-entered the workforce. She held positions at a few different companies before finding her ideal fit as an Executive Assistant to the President/CEO of American Express Property Casualty where she worked for about 20 years before retiring in 2000.
She enjoyed activities such as swimming and boating, and passed her love of reading on to her two daughters. She had a talent for drawing and painting and gifting others with some of the craft decorations she created. Throughout her life, Nancy adored animals. She raised horses and was a loving "mom" to the lucky dogs that became part of her family.
Most of all, Nancy was a social butterfly who loved spending time with people. She joined the Red Hat Society to expand her social circle, but it was the time spent with family and friends that she truly cherished. She especially adored children and could often be found with a baby in her arms or on the floor playing with her grandchildren. Those who knew her best will remember her for her quick wit, sassy and spirited personality, quirky sense of humor, ability to make anyone feel like a friend, and the way she could bring a smile and laugh to every day.
Nancy is survived by her husband, Daniel; daughters, Wendy (Paul) Schlueter and Julie (Kris) Maxwell; grandchildren, Ryan (Amber) Bowers and Amanda (Rick) Gasman; great grandchildren, Rosalie, Mila, Kensley, and Piper; siblings, Roger (Kathie) Kerkhoff and Gary (Ginger) Kerkhoff; step siblings, Larry Jandrey, Jr., Tim (Janine) Jandrey, Ronnie (Kaye) Jandrey, and Bruce Jandrey; sister-in-law, Betty Appleton; along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, her stepfather: Lawrence Jandrey, her brothers-in-law: Tom, Clark, and Charles, and sister-in-law: Patricia.
Family and friends can gather for a celebration of life which will be held on her birthday, December 18, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. at the Verkuilen-Van Deurzen Family Funeral Home FREEDOM LOCATION, N3972 Columbia Ave, Freedom, Wisconsin. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. For online condolences, please visit www.verkuilenfh.com.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the doctors, nurses and caregivers at ThedaCare Appleton, Peabody Manor, and St. Paul Elder Services along with the various emergency services personnel who assisted or cared for Nancy during her final days. |
1942 - 2021 (78 years)
