Beth and I met Nancy when we dropped off a copy of Family history Beth had written and compiled.  She was very gracious, and we can understand the great void she leaves.  

Praise God for the depth of her faith.  It's comforting to know that friends of Jesus never say "Goodbye" for the last time.

May God's comfort be with all who knew and loved Nancy.

Your Friends in Christ,    Beth & Rich Kuhn

I knew Nancy primarily through her illness, as I was one of her physicians.  Nancy showed great courage and grace during a time when many would have despaired, and I will remember her always for her kindness to me and her thoughtfulness.  Doug, my prayers are with you.

I don't know what it's like to lose a member of one's immediate family, let alone one's mom or especially one's wife. But what I can say is I loved Aunt Nancy, and I know she will be missed.  However, I am glad that her suffering is finally over, and I'm sure she's in a better place. Though she has departed, she will live on in our memories. We extend our sympathies.

Brother Doug and Family, Nancy portrayed kindness, graciousness, and a smile.  I will always be grateful that you Doug had such a wonderful wife, and that Steven, Craig, Carla and Bryan had a wonderful mother.  Donna and I love you all and will be keeping you in our prayers.  Brother Dan and Donna.

Dear Uncle Doug, and Cousins Steve, Craig, Bryan and Karla (and your respective families):  My thoughts and prayers are with you as you grieve the loss of your wife, mother and friend.  She was a wonderful aunt and positive influence, encouraging me as a teenager to complete an abstract flower painting for her home.  I can only imagine the boost of encouragement and great love she showed to each of you.  I am thankful to Aunt Nancy and how she always had open arms to the Clute family.  I will always cherish the summer memories of our family vacations to Minnesota, and also more recently the friendly conversations with cousin Bryan. May you find strength from the Lord and support from your loved ones as you celebrate her life and memory.  I will be praying for you.  Love, Cousin Debbie

To my older brother, Doug, in the loss of your precious wife, and our three nephews and niece, Stephen, Craig, Brian and Karla in the loss of your dear mother:  Our deepest sympathy, prayers, and love reach out to each one of you.    We will always remember Nancy Marilyn's love, kindness, and sweet hospitality shown to us when we came as a family to visit in Duluth.  Her deeds of love toward us have deeply touched our hearts and will remain in our memory forever. She passed away Saturday, June 12th, the day of our 45th Wedding Anniversary. May our Lord Jesus Christ comfort you with his love and we will continue our thoughts and prayers on  behalf of your family.  Lovingly,  Bill and Nancy Clute, Omaha, Nebraska.

Aunt Nancy was one of the sweetest people I've ever known, and her children are just like her. We will miss her.

Dear Doug, Karla, Chuck, Bryan, and Family, 
Please accept my most heartfelt sympathies for your loss.  I feel blessed to have met Nancy - what beautiful life and example of love!  Thinking and praying for your family today.  
-Marie (Friend of Karla's)

Knowing Nancy, the mother, I know she was looking at each one of you today and thinking how blessed she has been to be a part of your lives.  She has watched, cried, applauded, and shared all the achievements her four precious children have accomplished thus far.  Her guidance, as well as your father's, gave you a strong foundation of love and caring which allowed you to follow your dreams and be thankful for those around you.  I felt her smiling -which doesn't surprise anyone - as she looked out at her friends and family and thinking how she has been blessed and cherished as we feel about her.  Doug, we wish you comfort as you face the days ahead without your best buddy, but I know that you know she will always be with you.  Blessings and comfort to Steven, Craig, Bryan and our very special Karla as you face the future with your mother's words in your hearts and minds.  The Tryon family is very sorry for your loss but thankful that we got to share in her life.

Sue Tryon

I always loved to hear the story of how Nancy held me when I ate my first taste of ice cream on Pikes Peak.  I just barely remember being flower girl in her wedding, with the pretty yellow dress.  Her laugh lit up a room & I loved that when she found something funny, it seemed like the giggling would never stop!  Her life & smile touched so many.  I'll forever treasure the example she set for my life.  Nancy was one of the most wonderful people I've ever known.

Doug & family:  We are so extremely saddened by your loss of Nancy Marilyn.  Nancy was an extra-special treasure--a faithful companion and nurturing mother--a true lady in every way!  Even though we are family, when we visited  Duluth, she made us feel like very welcomed guests.  We will surely miss her ever- present smile.  With love, Muppy & Rabit

My memories of Nancy are many and precious. She chose me to be a bridesmaid at her wedding, which was an honor. We each found the love of our life while working together as nurses on 3 West at Lutheran Deaconess Hospital in Minneapolis. I'll never forget the day we came up the elevator together and she told me, "Nancy, he wants to marry me!" Nancy & Doug had a beautiful wedding. Nancy's sister and I wore lovely yellow bridesmaid dresses. I married my husband John just three months later.

After marrying the loves of our lives, we lived in different cities but kept in touch with Christmas cards and notes. They will be sorely missed as Nancy sent beautiful cards and wonderful notes. Our children were about the same ages and we kept each other up-to-date about their lives. Nancy was the genuine article. It was such a privilege to be her friend and share the joys & struggles of our lives--even if from a distance. Nancy and I shared the same bond of faith and we always knew the Lord would see us through all our difficulties.

We connected again after several years of raising our busy families. Nancy & Doug entertained us in their lovely home after our family had enjoyed a skiing vacation near Lutsen. The bond still existed and e-mails flew. 

Dancing became an interest for both of us couples. We shared our experiences dancing via e-mail and then had the privilege of attending weddings of each of our daughters. Karla's beautiful wedding would be our last memory with Nancy--always smiling, enjoying and savoring the moment despite knowing her cancer had returned, which she confided in me at the wedding reception. 

It hurts John and me not to attend Nancy's funeral to show our respect for her and support her family, but we are needed here for last minute preparations for our daughter's wedding this Saturday. 

Doug, Stephen, Craig, Karla, & Brian --- this all seems like such a dream.  Nancy was a special gift to all of us.  Know that Nancy would want us to keep dancing. It will just be a little while and we will see each other again. She is now your guardian angel.

The Lord bless and keep you in His divine care.

Love always,

Nancy Keating

Nancy was such a beautiful person inside and out- always a smile on her face and some kind words to share.  Always enjoyed seeing her and Doug on the dance floor having fun together sharing their dance skills- but mostly the joy that they got out of dancing together!  We are lucky that Nancy came into our lives.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Doug at this difficult time!

Doug & Family:  We are so sorry for your tremendous  loss of Nancy Marilyn.  Nancy was an extra special treasure-- A faithful companion and nurturing mother.  She was a true lady in every way!  Even though we are family, when we visited Duluth, she made us feel like welcomed guests.  We will truly miss her ever-present smile.  With love;  Muppy & Rabit.

Uncle Doug and Family, 
 Mike and I are very sorry to hear of the passing of Aunt Nancy. I am so grateful to have met her. She was such a wonderful person that touched my life with her warmth and laughter. She will be greatly missed. Love you all!

Though I only met her once very briefly when I was in middle school with Karla, one can tell through the pictures, the obituary, and the many entries in the guest book, that she was a very special and loved woman. May you and your family find strength and comfort in each other during this most difficult time.

Doug~ I wanted to tell you how sorry I am to hear of Nancy's passing. She was such a beautiful and loving person. It was always such a joy to see the two of you come into the LeGrand for dinner and dancing. It was so much fun to watch you two dance around the dance floor. You could just see the love and enjoyment the two of you had for eachother. It was a blessing to have met and gottin to know yous over the years. I was just thinking of her the other day and wondering how she was doing. At least see is at peace and without pain now. She is watching over her beautiful family. She is now your special angel until you see her again. Bless you and your family. She will be greatly missed. 
God Bless and take take~ Pam Solem (LeGrand Supper Club)

I'll always remember Nancy's smile and her unfailing courtesy and
consideration.  She had a zest for living and loved to laugh and have fun.
Nancy had worked at Lutheran Deaconess Hospital with my wife Nancy, who was 
a bridesmaid in Nancy and Doug's  wedding.  Her cards at Christmas always
had wonderful notes.  She had a strong faith, which shone through in
all she did.  We will miss her.  Our deepest love and sympathies to Doug 
and family.  John Keating (Fargo, ND)

Doug and family,
We have only the fondest memories of Nancy and her beautiful smile and spirit. She made us all feel so special. We are truly sorry for your loss.  Ron and Lois

'Aunt Nancy' had a genuine warmth about her that made me feel at ease and at home right away no matter how much time had passed since I'd seen her last.  She had a fun outlook and would giggle with me sweetly over any little thing.  She is thought of fondly and dearly missed by many.

Karla, words can't express how sorry I am for the loss of your mom! I pray that God will help you find peace and comfort in this most difficult time!

Although I knew Nancy for many years, we became dear friends over the past few years when I phoned her from India and when I visited the States. We shared the same b'day, although not the same year. I'm going to miss her sweet voice. I don't know when I have grieved so terribly the passing of anyone. I loved her very much.

Nancy was a special classmate of our 1969 Lutheran Deaconess School of Nursing.  Her smile was precious as were her quiet ways.  It is a blessing to have been with her on that 3 year journey of our lives as we became Registered Nurses. - Jane Selander Grudt,  LDH Class of 1969

Doug and family:  
We were saddened to hear of Nancy's passing. Our prayers are with you all.

Nancy was so sweet. Her and Doug could really kick it up on the dance floor! I was nervous when I first joined the band but she made me feel so welcome and accepted. The band loved her so much. My prayers to family. God bless you.

I'm so sorry that Nancy is gone.  She was so loved by everyone.  She was so kind and caring and ready to smile.  I met her through dancing and what fun we had.  She will be missed by many.--Kris Ketola

I can't believe I forgot to include how beautiful Nancy was, inside and out.  She was a living example of the light of God's love shining out through someone's life.

I met Nancy when she came to my hair salon in the mid-90's.  She became a regular client, and a cherished one.  She was the sweetest, nicest client I ever had.  After leaving the Duluth area, I continued to return once a month to do my clients' hair, and Nancy continued with me until I finally stopped doing hair in 12/06.  Nancy and Doug began dancing after I'd been doing her hair for a few years, and she loved it.  She was a joy to be around, and will be sorely missed.  We have been exchanging letters, but I had not heard lately, and was so sorry to hear about her passing.  She had such love for her family, and friends.  We are blessed to have known her, and to have such a lovely guardian angel.  Jerry and my sympathies to Doug, Carla, and the rest of the family.  You (and Jesus) were the most important thing in the world to her.

I have nothing but amazing memories of Nancy.  I don't remember ever seeing her without a smile on her face and still remember the sound of her laughter.  Thank you for always making me feel like I was part of your family.  You will be very much missed.  I'm thankful that Karla is such a strong resemblance of her mother, with all of the same great qualities to remember her by.

I will always remember Nancy's smile and how lit up the room.  She was thoughtful and kind to everyone.  She was an amazing mother, wife, and person.  Her legacy will live on through her 4 incredible children and all the people whose lives she touched.

We met Nancy when our youngest sons were in the same preschool class and our oldest sons were, I believe, fourth graders together. As it turned out, all three of our sons and the three Berry boys developed strong friendships and enjoyed all sorts of adventures together (some of which we parents didn't find out about until later--like the time the car went into the ditch or the picture of all the boys STANDING in the fishing boat while they fished). As we drove our sons back and forth, Nancy and I began to nurture a growing friendship. As time went by, Doug and Nancy and Bob and I would have dinner together now and then, and Nancy and I fairly often enjoyed breakfast or lunch together at Perkins or had coffee at each other's homes, talking about life, the Lord, and our families. We also, as someone else commented, often broke into gales of laughter over some amusing event or story, laughing so hard that it brought tears. Nancy became a dear friend and continued to be one after we moved to California. She and I enjoyed a lively e-mail communication. After Nancy could no longer write e-mail, it was special to communicate a bit with daughter Karla. I hold dear the last personal communication I received from Nancy, a birthday card written in a somewhat shaky hand, just over one month ago. I will miss Nancy very much! We remain thankful for our family's long term friendship with the Berry family and pray that the Lord will be their Comforter and Counselor as they adjust to this life without their wife, mother, and grandmother.

Karla and Family, we are deeply saddened to hear about the loss of your mother Nancy. Although no words can really help to ease the loss you bear, just know that you are very close in every thought and prayer. Our prayers are with you and your family.

I met Nancy through Karla.  Karla and I went to college together and then were roommates for awhile after college.  Nancy made me feel so comfortable the few times I was around her and was very loving towards me.  My thoughts and prayers go out to the Berry family and to all those who loved her.

Karla - you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.  Your mother was a special woman and she raised an amazing and beautiful daughter.

I knew Nancy more from her childhood and young adult years  than I knew her as an adult, however, the qualities of caring, laughing, dedication and loving were part of her in her early years as well as they were in her adult years.  As cousins in our youth, we spent most all our Holidays together and many days in between.  I have nothing but warm memories of her. Her ready laugh and ever present smile are etched in my memory. I will miss her.

I have so many great memories of Nancy.  Nights out dancing where we laughed so hard we were too tired to dance...but did anyway.  She never let me leave without a hug and saying "I love you, Candy".  I love you too, Nancy

My mother was an amazing, fun-loving, and caring woman who always had a smile on her face. She taught me many lessons in life even in the few days before her passing. I could not have asked for a better mother and best friend.

OBITUARY

Nancy Marilyn Berry

January 3, 1945 – June 12, 2010

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