Nancy Jean Hendricks (Gaddis) went home to her loving Lord on Friday, October 15, 2021. She passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her family. She shared 66 years of her beautiful smile and caring soul with many. She was a fighter and never gave up.
A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mathis Church in Muscatine, Iowa on Friday, October 22, 2021, at 11 a.m. Burial will take place in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Muscatine. Visitation will be held Thursday, October 21, 2021, at the Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home in Muscatine, from 4 until 7 p.m. Online Condolences: www.wittichfuneralhome.com
Nancy was born on September 22, 1955, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. After attending public schools in Sioux Falls, she attended Black Hills State University, where she majored in Science, English, and Physical Education. It is also where she met the love of her life. Nancy and Tom were married on January 7, 1977. With this marriage came many adventures and eventually landing them in Muscatine, Iowa. They welcomed the joy of their lives, a son, J.R. in September 1989.
J.R., teaching, Taco John’s, and the community was her life. In her teaching career, Nancy touched many lives at Happy Time Preschool and Muscatine High School. She ended her career teaching school and Religious Education at Hayes Catholic School.
Nancy loved children and wanted to make them all feel loved. She taught us all to be brave and trust in the Lord.
Nancy is survived by her devoted husband, Tom, one son, J.R. (Demi), and her joyous granddaughter, Jade, all of Muscatine. Three sisters, Barbara (Randy) White, Sioux, Falls, SD, Rose (Michael) Podhradsky, Custer, SD, and Mary (Wayne) Johnson, Sioux Falls, SD. Brother-in-law, Mark (Sharon) Hendricks, Shelton, WA. Sisters-in-law, Anne Hendricks, Sioux Falls, SD, Jane (Duane) Lenz, Castle Pines, CO, Joan (David) Bernard, Bloomington, MN, Mary (Gary) Michaels, Sioux Falls, SD. And many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Russ and Doris Gaddis and her in-laws, Jim and Fran Hendricks. What a fabulous day for all of them to meet again.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Nancy’s name to Saints Mary and Mathias Catholic School.