Nancy R VanderWeide

Nancy Ray Nelson-Vander Weide

June 21, 1938 – May 28, 2023

Born Nancy Ray Henning on June 21, 1938 in Platteville, WI, she was the youngest child and only daughter of Ray Lee Henning and Elizabeth Mary Henning.  The family moved around after her birth and Nancy eventually graduated from high school in Port Huron, MI.

She went back to Platteville to attend college where a friend introduced her to Norman Bruce Nelson.  The two were wed on June 15, 1957 and immediately started their family with the birth of the first of their four sons, Jeffrey Bruce Nelson.  The family moved to Madison, WI and lived there for several years where Jay Bryan, Joel Bradley and David Sinclair Nelson were born. Because of Norman’s job, the family moved often but finally settled in Vicksburg, MI where all the boys graduated from high school. 

In 1979, Nancy and Norm attended a marriage enrichment seminar which was Biblically based and during this encounter both of them accepted the Lord as their personal savior and began a new chapter in their lives serving the Lord.  They attended several churches during this new phase of their lives and finally settled on attending Kalamazoo First Assembly of God.  Nancy was an avid singer and joined the choir where she enjoyed praising and glorifying the Lord.

Nancy began college classes during this season of life, studying nursing but on December 11, 1991, she was suddenly widowed when Norm was killed in a plane crash.  After a time of morning, she returned to her studies, graduated and passed her exams becoming a Registered Nurse (RN).  She worked for many years in the medical field before she met Roger E. Vander Weide at a Bible study class through her church.  They fell in love and on August 17, 1996, they were wed and began a new life together.

Nancy spent happy years watching her blended family grow and flourish as many grandchildren and great grandchildren were added to her joy.  Nancy became a spiritual mother and grandmother to many young men and women as well, sharing her strength of faith and Bible knowledge as she continued to serve the Lord with her talents.

On June 2, 2018, Nancy was again widowed.  She went to live with her youngest son and daughter-in-law continuing to attend church and Bible classes.

In May 2023, after a short illness, Nancy was placed into home hospice care until she too went home to Heaven to be with her precious Lord and Savior on May 28, 2023.

Nancy is survived by her four sons and their wives, Jeffrey and Lynda Nelson, Jay  and Donna Nelson, Joel and Brenda Nelson,  David and Dawn Nelson; her brother William L. Henning, sister-in-law Agnes A. Henning; stepchildren Catherine Dusseljee, Christopher Vander Weide, Eliazbeth Fenstermaker, Shelley Kengis; and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, June 8^th from 4pm to 7pm at the Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Home, 409 South Main, Vicksburg. A funeral service will be held on Friday, June 9^th at 11am at the funeral home.

While at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please take time to sign Nancy’s guestbook and/or share a memory with the family.

The VanderWeide family is being cared for by the Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Homes, 409 South Main, Vicksburg, MI 49097 (269) 649-1697.