Nancy Heller Young, the daughter of Russell Henry and Alberta Marguerite (Hembre) Heller, was born May 20, 1936 in Oak Park, IL and died May 7, 2014 at her home in Oakland, IA at the age of 77 years, 11 months, and 17 days.

Nancy moved from Oak Park, IL to St. Louis Park, MN when she was seven years old. She attended school there, and graduated from St. Louis Park High School. Upon graduation, she attended the National College of Education in Evanston, IL. On June 13, 1958, Nancy was united in marriage to Ward Young at the First Christian Church in Minneapolis, MN. She taught school in Wilmette, IL for a year before they moved to Muscatine, IA. Nancy and Ward lived in Menlo, Earlham, Oakland, Grundy Center, and Mason City, before returning to Oakland in 1998. While living in Oakland and Grundy Center, Nancy taught elementary school. She retired from teaching in 1994.

Nancy was a member of the Oakland United Methodist Church. She was active in the UMW, where she served as the president in her retirement years. She was a member of P.E.O. and had served as the president while living in Grundy Center.

Nancy lived her life to the fullest, sharing her sense of humor and creativity with all whom she touched. It might have been jumping on the beds in a motel during a conference retreat, sewing up cushions so the delegates to that long annual conference did not get such a sore bottom, creatively giving humorous Christmas gifts, her Penny-Pinch Cards, or her famous prose Christmas letters. She loved to tell a story and could find delight in almost every event. Camping trips and spending time with family in Minneapolis and at the TeePee near Minong, WI have made for some of the family's most cherished memories.

Nancy, more often than not, was involved in creating fun and laughter with others. She was a loving person, a dedicated and effective teacher, a most faithful wife and caring mother. And ultimately, Nancy was a committed Christian working in the "body of Christ," the Church and sharing God's love and Spirit through her daily life.
Nancy is preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her husband Ward of Oakland, IA; her children: David Jeffrey Young and wife Mary of Williamsburg, IA; Susan E. Beedle and husband Mark of Oakland, IA; Peter O. Young of Oakland, IA; and Bryan A. Young and wife Elizabeth of Washington, D.C.; her grandchildren: Alayna, Erin, Alysha, Maria, Nicholas, Jayme, Harry, Frank, and Fred; her brothers, Dean Heller and wife Joyce; and Tom Heller and wife Mary; her sister Anne Heller; her sister-in-law Phyllis Reece; and her brother-in-law Eugene Young and wife Carrie. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation with the family will be on Wednesday, June 4, 2014 from 5-7:30 PM at the Oakland United Methodist Church. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 5, 2014 at 11:00 AM at the Oakland United Methodist Church. Rieken Vieth Funeral Home in Oakland is in charge of arrangements.