Nancy “Nan” Douglas

Nancy “Nan” Douglas

Nancy “Nan” Georgetta Classon Douglas was born October 11, 1937, to Eric and Pauline (Hendrickson) Classon in Berwyn, Illinois.  After a long and valiant struggle with ALS, Nan joined the choir of angels on Tuesday, April 19, 2011.

Nan spent her childhood on the farm in Kendall County, Illinois.  She graduated from Plano Community High School in 1955, and Monmouth College in 1960, with Bachelor’s degrees in Biology, History and Nursing.  On March 11, 1961, she married the love of her life, Dr. William Wallace Douglas.

Her nursing career began as a student at Chicago Wesley Memorial School of Nursing, and later included teaching positions at the University of Colorado Medical Center in Denver, University of North Dakota College of Nursing, Rochester Community College and St. Mary’s School of Nursing.

Nan will be remembered for her love of travel, which became a second career, her gourmet cooking and gracious entertaining, her respect for – and participation in – historical preservation, her passion for music and music education, and her thoughtful and devout loyalty to her many friends.  She was a member of The Historical Society, Friends of Mayowood, The Nature Conservancy, and Rochester Music guild.

Nan is survived by a daughter, Nancy Margaret “Meg” Turner Douglas, a son, William Strawn Douglas, and sisters-in-law Mary Maloney of Phoenix, Nancy (Carl) Hulick of Pasadena, Patsy (William) Lodge of Boise, and Mary Jane (David) Broom of Spokane.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her twin daughters Carter Lynn and Catherine Jo.

A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, April 25, 2011, at 1:00PM at Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester, with the Rev. Norman Wahl officiating.  Visitation will be held from 11:00AM – 1:00PM on Monday at the church as well.  Burial will be in Pleasant Prairie Cemetery in Cascade Township, north Rochester.

In lieu of flowers, Nan prefers memorials to:  Mesenchymal Stem Cell Trial for ALS at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester Music Guild, and The Nature Conservancy.

Macken Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.  On-line condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.