Nancy Lee (Rickert) Wallerstedt, 78 of Oakland, NE

NANCY LEE (RICKERT) WALLERSTEDT was born June 11, 1936, at home in Decatur, Nebraska, to Elmer and Mattie (Andersen) Rickert. She passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home in rural Oakland on Wednesday, July 9, 2014, at the age of 78 years.

Nancy graduated from Oakland High School in 1953. In 1954, she married the love of her life, Norman Wallerstedt, at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oakland, where she was also baptized and confirmed.

Nancy loved her Lord and loved serving her church. She was a member of First Lutheran’s women’s organization for 57 years, served on the Altar Committee many years and was a member of Koinonia Bible Study.  As a member of the Junior Women’s Club for 23 years, she served in all offices and was selected as Outstanding Club Woman of the Year in 1974. Nancy also worked on the Oakland Community Improvement Committee and Swedish Festival. She was a member of the Scandinavian Folk Dancers and promoted Oakland’s Swedish heritage at many events, including Governor Ben Nelson’s   inauguration. Her love of dancing also led to 20 years with the Swingaways Square Dance Club. Nancy was a 10-year member of the Burt County Extension Club, a member of Oakland Mercy Hospital Auxiliary, serving in various offices and served on the Bell Creek Township election board for many years.

Nancy loved her family dearly. She enjoyed birds, her pets, flowers and gardens and especially loved mowing her yard. Highest on her list, though, was working alongside Norman on the farm. Whether they were walking beans, tending gardens, decorating their home or putting up Christmas lights, everything was made more beautiful when Nancy touched it. Her family reaped the benefits of that care and creativity every time they were with her.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Denise Blair; infant sister, Betty and her parents.

Survivors include her husband, Norman of Oakland; son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Terry of Oakland; sisters, Donna (Gerald) Larson of Uehling, NE; Deb (Jon) Radebaugh of Omaha, NE;  eight grandchildren:  Jeff Blair, Lauren Blair, Whitney (Joe) Julian, Josh (Sara) Wallerstedt, Kelsey (Josh) Gillman, Kiersten Wallerstedt, James Wallerstedt and  Jesse Wallerstedt;  six great grandchildren, River, Grace, Emma, Waverly, Lydia and Elliot.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Saturday, July 12, 2014, 10:30 a.m., First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Oakland

VISITATION: Friday 1 – 8 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 6 – 8 p.m. at Pelan Funeral Home in Oakland. Visitation will also be held at the church Saturday one hour prior to the service.

BURIAL: Oakland Cemetery

MEMORIALS: To the Family

Please feel free to send your condolences to the family.
Each condolence will be printed and given to the family after the service.

pelan@pelanfuneralservices.com

Nancy Wallerstedt