Obituary

Nancy Jean Stetson, 90

August 20, 1934 to September 28, 2024

8-20-1934 - 9-28-2024

Nancy Jean Stetson, 90, of rural Neponset, passed away on September 28, 2024.  Nancy was born on August 20, 1934, in Charleston, IL.  She graduated from Kansas Illinois High School in 1952 and continued her education at The University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, IL where she received a degree in Home Economics in 1955.  While at the U of I, Nancy met her husband Joe on a blind date!  They were married on December 27, 1955, in Grandview, IL.

Nancy is survived by her 3 sons, Mike (Connie) Stetson, Mark Stetson, and Clif Stetson, all of Neponset; 4 grandchildren, Jenny (Jeremy) Noder, Cathy Stetson, Jim (Tara) Stetson, and Lea (Kenny) Ferris; Brittany Clark; 7 great-grandchildren, Michaela and Miranda Noder, Cora and Cooper Stetson, and Alaina, Brayson, and Caelynn Ferris;  sister-in-law, Erma Jean Brown; sister-in-law, Bonnie Ballentyne; as well as 12 nieces and a nephew.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar J. and Grace E. (Cook) Brown; father-in-law, Joseph R. Stetson; mother-in-law, Wauneeta Stetson; husband, Joseph A. Stetson; brother, James Brown; and sister-in-law, Mollie Thompson.

Nancy was very active in her community.  She was a member of the Bureau County HEIH (Home Economists in Homemaking) where she served on the Board of Directors for In Home Care.  She was a dedicated member of the Neponset Congregational Church where she had served as Deacon and Treasurer, was chair of The Memorial Committee, and served as Choir Director as well as singing in the choir.  She was also a member of The Daughters of Yuleda and Dilettantes.  She was very involved with the Bureau County Porkettes a Pork Producers group for women.

Nancy enjoyed playing bridge, golfing, reading, traveling, shopping, riding horses, and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She was a devoted wife to Joe for 53 years.  He would have been lost without her by his side! 

Nancy was an awesome cook and was well-known for her delicious pies as well as so many other signature recipes!  She passed on her love for cooking to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, but even with the exact recipe, no one will ever be able to duplicate hers!  She kept a beautiful home and was a wonderful hostess.  She loved to entertain and make meals for guests and family. 

Nancy was an avid gardener.  She had a yard full of beautiful flowers, some of which were iris from her mother that have been distributed to friends and family over the years to enjoy.  At the family farm she grew a large patch of strawberries and red raspberries as well as many fruit trees with the help of Joe.  This produce made excellent jams, ice cream sundae toppings, desserts, and was of course used in her famous pies!

Nancy was an excellent seamstress.  She would always be mending work clothes, hemming a skirt, or sewing Christmas and Easter dresses for her granddaughters.  She also taught her grandchildren how to sew from making simple pockets out of scrap material to various 4H and Home Economics sewing projects. 

It was always a treat to get to go to Grandma Nancy’s house.  She enjoyed playing card and board games, having tea parties, playing restaurant, and listening to “songs” on the organ only a grandmother could love!  She was a great mentor to everyone in her family.  She read the best bedtime stories too!

Nancy always looked her best from head to toe and she had a closet full of clothes, shoes, and accessories to prove it!  She was a beautiful lady, inside and out, and will be dearly missed by all who knew her and loved her.

Private Funeral services will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be directed to the Neponset Library or Neponset Park Improvement.