NANCY GOLDBECK
March 21, 1934 - January 12, 2019
Obituary
Nancy Elizabeth (Owen) Goldbeck age 84, passed away peacefully at her residence, entering into eternal life with her Savior Jesus Christ on January 12, 2019. She was born March 21, 1934 to Ambrose and Marion (Billington) Owen in Neenah. From a young age Nancy loved and studied music, playing piano, flute and singing in choirs. She also enjoyed swimming and sailing. Nancy graduated from Neenah High School in 1952 and then attended Lawrence College Conservatory, graduating with a Music Education degree in 1956. While at Lawrence, she met LeRoy Goldbeck and they were married on June 23, 1956. They raised their family in Neenah and celebrated 61 years of marriage before LeRoy's passing in 2017.
Nancy's first part-time and summer job was at the First National Bank, taking pictures of houses for the loan files and other clerical work. After college before the children, she worked at the Telephone Company, calling customers with overdue accounts and taking orders for the new color phones. Later she taught piano lessons in her home for over 30 years. Nancy sang in the church choir all her adult life, directed youth choir, directed the handbell choir, and was a charter member of the Neenah Community Band. Nancy was the first music teacher at Fox Valley Christian Academy when the school was established in 1977. She was a member of the Fox Valley Keyboard Teachers Association, Neenah-Menasha Music Club, and SAI Alumnae Group. She was active in Christian Women's Club and numerous Bible study groups. Nancy was a member of Calvary Bible Church.
Nancy and LeRoy were baptized in Lake Winnebago early in the morning on a summer day, followed by a pancake breakfast at their nearby home. They traveled around the US, to the Caribbean, Mexico, Canada, Brazil, Denmark, Wales, Europe and China and took a cruise to Alaska. They spent winters in California and later in Hawaii for almost 20 years.
Nancy brought great joy into her home through music. She encouraged her family in all their activities with both love and discipline. She loved to entertain friends and family, and was delighted by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Nancy is survived by her children: Julie Hawkins, Linda (Jim) Spranger, Wendy (Greg) Baranczyk, Paul (Julie) Goldbeck; grandchildren: Carolyn (Jacob) Towns, Matthew Spranger, Amy (Marcus) Croll, Tim (Maddy) Spranger, Kacie Reagan (fiancée Pete), Allyson (Chuck) Pratt, Zachary Reagan (friend Kate), Benjamin Goldbeck; great-grandchildren: Madelyn, Isaac and baby girl Towns; Elijah Croll; Oliver Spranger; Chayse, Charlly, Camden, Dai, and Cyren Pratt; step-grandchildren: Maria (Craig) Martin, Spencer (Brianna) Baranczyk; brother-in-law George Beniash; along with cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family and many dear friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband LeRoy, her parents: Ambrose and Marion Owen; brothers David Owen and John (Patricia) Owen; LeRoy's parents: Oscar and Marie Goldbeck; sister-in law: Ethel Beniash; brother-in-law: Robert Goldbeck; and cousin: Kent Siegel.
The family would like to thank the many doctors and medical professionals who provided for Nancy's care, especially the caregivers and staff at Willow Lane Assisted Living, Touchmark on Prospect, and Heartland Hospice Care for their loving and compassionate care given to Nancy in her recent years.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 19, 2019 at Calvary Bible Church, 1450 Oakridge Rd., Neenah, with Rev. Danny Leavins officiating. Visitation will be at the church from 9:00 AM until 10:45 AM. Interment will be at Oak Hill Cemetery, Neenah. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Nancy's memory to International Children's Fund, icfaid.org or Special Olympics, specialolympicswisconsin.org.
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house: yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” Matt. 7:24-25