Nancy Ellen Stephens was born April 2, 1946, in Creston, Iowa to Roy and Helen Reece Blunck. She was one of nine children raised in their home in Benton, Iowa. Nancy was an avid 6 on 6 basketball player, earning four years of letters, while attending Mt. Ayr Community Schools. She was Iowa All State First Team, recognized as one of the great guards in Iowa girls' basketball.

After graduating in 1965, she attended business college in Omaha, Nebraska, where she had received a basketball scholarship, and learned to play five on five.

Nancy was married to David Stephens on August 15, 1965, in Benton, Iowa, by David's grandfather, Rev. Paul Beymer. They would move to Indianola where they raised their two daughters, Pamela and Justin Howerton of Maxwell, Iowa and Jill and Tony Crumley of Rockbridge, Ohio.

Nancy was a hard worker, in the garden, canning, cleaning and ironing, she was always the first one up in the morning. She worked for many years for Laverty Elevator and Sprayers and Four Seasons Fund Raising. David and Nancy enjoyed many days on the golf course, enjoying their time together and with many wonderful friends. She always had time for a round that ended on the 19th hole, at the Indianola Country Club or Warrior Run.

Her greatest joy later became her grandchildren, Travis Howerton, and the Buckeye grands, Shena and Jeff Rodriguez, David and Emily Crumley, Emily and Shane Bragg, Caleb and Kristin Crumley, Rachel and Jeff Ricker. Many trips were made to Ohio to watch sporting and school events. The best came last with the greats, Anthony, Chloe, Eli, Silas, Samuel, Emmalyn, Cora, Levi, Lucy, Kaylee, Elizabeth, Jack and extras. She truly loved being their Nanny or Nanners the Bananars.

Along with her husband of almost 61 years David and her daughters and their families, she is survived by sisters, Jean Davenport, Virginia Rees, Joann Trullinger, Linda and Larry Sickels; brother, Don and Mary K Blunck; sisters-in-law, Kathy Blunck, Judy Cason, Barbara Hinshaw, Joan Bond, Susan and Duane Keesen, Kathy and Jon Goodale, Sheryl and Wes Benedict and Betty Stalker; brothers-in-law, Don Stephens, Jim and Sally Stephens, Jerry and Barb Stephens, Jack Stephens, Steve and Eydie Stephens, John and Karlene Stephens, Ken and Brenda Stephens; along with countless special nephews and nieces.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Helen Blunck; in-laws, Velmer and Maxine Stephens; brothers, Bob and wife Joanne Blunck, and Bill Blunck; sister, Judy and husband, Don Snedeker; sisters-in-law, Audrey Blunck, and Julie Ann Stephens; brothers-in-law, Duane Davenport, Bill Rees, John Cason, Cecil Hinshaw Gerald Bond and Tim Stalker; grandson, Travis Howerton; great grandson, Clay Crumley; and nephew, Alex Stephens.

Our family is forever thankful for the many friends and family members that would spend time with Nancy during her illness. Especially Tom, who picked her up countless times, Christy, Rhonda, Judy and her brother Don. Also, an extreme gratitude to our dad, who has taught us what the true meaning of in sickness and health, until death do we part is all about. Our mom was a fighter, breast cancer, kidney disease and finally dementia. On February 23rd, God choose to heal her in heaven.

Memorials in memory of Nancy may be given to UnityPoint Home Hospice.