Nancy Blain

Nancy Blain, age 86, of Washington, Iowa, died Wednesday, November 30, 2022, at the United Presbyterian Home in Washington. Services will be held at the UP Home Dining Center, 1203 E Washington, Washington, IA at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 28, 2022. Burial will be at the Brooklyn Memorial Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established. The Jones & Eden Funeral Home, Washington, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent for Nancy’s family through the web at www.jonesfh.com. Nancy Sue Day was born September 29,1936 in Oskaloosa, the daughter of Roscoe and Clella Day. She graduated from Ottumwa High School in 1954 and continued her education at the University of Northern Iowa, graduating with her teaching degree in Home Economics. While teaching at Montezuma High School, she met the love of her life and future husband, Gary Blain. Nancy and Gary were united in marriage at Wesley United Methodist Church in Ottumwa on August 2, 1959. They moved to Brooklyn in 1968. She taught Home Economics at BGM high school until her retirement in 1998. She had many fond memories of all of her students and co-workers while teaching. Nancy was a very talented seamstress; in her spare time, she enjoyed sewing and the challenge of altering many prom dresses. She was active in the Grace United Methodist Church, where she loved singing in the choir. She has always cherished her friends and “church family”. In 2012, they sold their house in Brooklyn and moved to Sigourney, where they settled into a new routine of taking care of their dogs, going on rides and eating at Pizza Ranch or Subway. Nancy and Gary moved to their apartment at the UP Home in Washington in 2019 and enjoyed the opportunity to spend more time with her sister, Gerry, and the new friendships and activities there. Nancy truly valued her Faith, Family and Friends. She and Gary delighted in attending their children and grandchildren’s activities and events. They made many road trips to Texas to visit Curt and his family over the years. She enjoyed listening and singing hymns, playing the piano, crosswords, watching Jeopardy and could often be found with her nose in a book, no matter what was going on around her. In recent years, when her health started to limit her activities, her quick wit and sense of humor were still very apparent. Nancy will be missed by her family, including: Daughter-in-law: Valerie Blain of Arlington, Texas; two daughters: Angie (Kenny) Gretter of Harper and Jeanna (Matt) Hills of West Branch; 10 grandchildren: Jacob (Lacey) Blain and Jillian Blain, Michaela (Nathan) Tinnes, Jerica (Shane) Plummer, Blaine (Callie) Gretter and Sarina Gretter, and Austin, Mattie, Gavin and Nathan Hills; eight great-grandchildren: Chase, Merritt, and Cole Blain, Milo, Boyd, and Evelyn Tinnes, and Aubrey and Elloise Plummer; sister Gerry (John) Sproule of Washington; Sister-in-laws: Kathy Blain and Jean (Charlie) Axtell and many very special nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband Gary Blain in 2020, son Curt in 2007, brother-in-law Marvin Blain, parents and grandparents.

Nancy Blain

September 29, 1936 - November 30, 2022