Nancy L. (Yanda) Hotzfeld, 80, entered into eternal peace on March 12, 2016 at Saint Clare’s Hospital in Weston, WI. She was born on June 19, 1935, the daughter of Roland and Celestine (Wery) Wyant.
Nancy loved her childhood, playing with her two sisters and friends growing up on her family’s homestead near the banks of the Prairie River near Bloomville, Wisconsin. She had lots of pets as a child including a pet skunk. She was active in 4H, loved to sew, going to dances, played the trumpet, and was a baton twirler in the marching band. She graduated from Merrill Senior High School in 1953.
Nancy married Laverne (Vern) Yanda on May 4, 1957. They had three children. Some of her various jobs included working at Motorola in Chicago, Tasty Freeze ice cream shops in Chicago & Rhinelander, Merrill Manufacturing, worked as a Teacher’s Aide in Merrill and Paramount Studios camera shop before working 12 years at Lincoln Hills School first as a Counselor and then in the Communications Department, which is where she retired. Nancy enjoyed collecting antiques, sewing, making crafts, listening to the police scanner and researching her family tree information. Nancy and Vern were married for 30 years before his death in 1987. Nancy then married Robert Hotzfeld on June 9, 1989. They enjoyed their retirement years on a lake in Harshaw, Wisconsin and a few years in Waysata, MN before returning to Merrill. They were married for 18 years before Bob’s death in 2007. Nancy was very fortunate to have had two very warm, loving souls as husbands in her lifetime.
She leaves her loving memories to be cherished by her children – son Russell Yanda, Merrill, WI; daughter Lorri (David Bessey) Beyer, Wausau, WI and daughter Kimberli (Mike) Buchanan, Tucson, AZ. She has seven grandchildren – Jordan (Lyndsey) Buchanan, Tucson, AZ; Karissa Buchanan & Colton Buchanan, Tucson, AZ; Brittany (Sean Nidetch) Yanda, Madison, WI; Broc Yanda, Madison, WI; Logan Beyer & Jacob Beyer, Wausau, WI and two great grandchildren – Taylor Nidetch and Zander Nidetch, Madison, WI. She is also survived by her sister Mary (Gene) Zebik and multiple nephews and nieces. She is preceded in death by her two husbands, Vern Yanda and Robert Hotzfeld; her sister Patricia (Raoul) Heckendorf and her parents Roland & Celestine Wyant.
Per Nancy’s wishes, there will be no memorial service. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
Waid Funeral Home of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.