Nancy L. Graupman, of Merrill, passed away Sunday, January 31, 2016 at Good Samaritan Health Center. She was born February 14, 1935 in Cedar Rapids, IA, to the late Clifford and Pearl (Drenhan) Riley. On September 22, 1956 Nancy married William Graupman in Appleton. They enjoyed nearly 60 years together.
Nancy graduated from New London High School. She was retired from the Red Cross in Wausau where she was a coordinator for the hypertension program and she also took patients’ blood pressure. Nancy was an assistant Girl Scout leader for many years. She worked for the WIC Program in Green Bay for many years. Nancy was very involved with her church and volunteered often. She was an officer in the Chaminade singing group in Appleton. She sang in the choir at her church and also performed many solos and special music. Nancy enjoyed music and was a very good vocalist, singing often at weddings and funerals. She sang with a mixed chorus in Green Bay. Nancy also loved to dance Polka and for many years she and Bill were in a square dance group. She had a deep love for animals and all creatures and was deeply attached to all her pets. Nancy enjoyed observing wildlife and truly enjoyed her retirement living on the river. She was very proud of her Irish heritage and was a member of a group of Irish women in Milwaukee who took trips together called Celtic Women. Nancy was a loving, caring, involved, supportive mother and wife. She was always there to listen and lend a helping hand. Nancy was all about family and truly loved being a mother. She was a very strong woman who possessed all the right kinds of values and raised her daughters with those same values. Nancy was a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church. She had a strong relationship with her older sister, JoAnn and will be greatly missed.
Survivors include her husband, William Graupman, Merrill; three daughters: Kathy (Steve) Heth, Hudson, WI, Lynn (Bob) Vondrachek, Woodbury, MN, and Julie Wilson, Saukville, WI; five grandchildren: Bryan, Michael, Nicholas, Jacob and Sydney; three sisters: JoAnn Riley, Big River, CA, Candy (John) Butler, Glenwood, IA, and Tammy (Kurt) Matter, Marysville, PA; many nieces and nephews and great neighbors. She was preceded in death by her parents, son: Greg Graupman, sister: Judy Carpenter, and beloved cats: Lily and Joe.
Funeral services for Nancy will be held at 9:30 AM Saturday, February 6, 2016 at Waid Funeral Home. Rev. Dennis Creswell will officiate. Visitation will be a private time for family before the service. Entombment will follow in the Shrine of the Good Shepherd in Green Bay. Waid Funeral Home of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.