Nancy Carolyn Edwards

Nancy Carolyn Edwards

January 19, 1937 – April 1, 2021

VISITATION observing CDC guidelines: Friday, April 9^th from 5pm to 7pm at the West Center Chapel. CELEBRATION OF LIFE Service: Saturday, April 10^th at 10am at Dundee Presbyterian Church, 5312 Underwood Ave. Graveside Service and Interment: Saturday, 1:30pm, at Sunrise Cemetery in Wahoo, NE.  Memorials are suggested to Dundee Presbyterian Church Music Department or to the family for later designation

To view live broadcast of the Service, go to www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “View Live Cast” button on the home page.

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Nancy Carolyn Edwards, 84 years of age, was born on January 19, 1937, in Wahoo, Nebraska, and passed away at home surrounded by family on April 1, 2021.  Nancy was the third of three children born to Oscar Francis and Ella (Chambers) Schulte.  She spent her childhood in Wahoo surrounded by her extended family where her father owned the Wahoo Bakery.  Upon graduating from Wahoo High School with the Class of 1955, she attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she received her teaching certificate. 

Nancy married her junior high school sweetheart and lifelong partner, William Lloyd Edwards, on August 4, 1957, in Fremont, NE, and to this union, three children were born: Lisa Susan, Linda Diane, and William Richard.  Nancy and Bill raised their children in Omaha, enjoyed traveling, entertaining, attending Husker football games, and spending time with their family. 

In addition to raising their children, Nancy taught preschool at Dundee Presbyterian Church. Nancy had perhaps no higher calling, though, than playing the piano. She formed lifelong friendships through her music and left indelible impressions on thousands of lives. Nancy was an accompanist for several junior and senior high school music programs across the Omaha area, played for community theatre and the Omaha Press Club shows, accompanied the Voices of Mel Olson, and was especially proud to have accompanied John Rutter.  

Perhaps most of all, she loved sharing her talent with her church, Dundee Presbyterian, of which she had been a member for more than 60 years. She played the piano at church nearly every Sunday up until the time of her death. Her talent was unmatched, and her playing was impressive, exquisite, and, at times, spicy. Playing piano brought so much joy to her life; even more, it brought comfort and peace to her family and friends. 

Nancy enjoyed spending time with her sister, Suzanne, and brother-in-law Jack Christensen, lake time at Woodcliff, travels to Mexico and beyond, hosting dinner parties, a good margarita, and sitting on her deck enjoying her view of the lake.  She gave her family unforgettable memories of their many vacations, was never without lipstick or perfume, or her dogs. She was always game to go out to eat, loved attending Broadway musicals at the Omaha Orpheum and in NYC, played cards with her family, organized epic Christmases, and was famous for running her car out of gas.  Most of all, she loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. 

Nancy and Bill were married for 44 years before his passing in 2002.  Her devotion to him and his care in his later years showed her love and caring nature.  Nancy surely leaves a legacy of love, resilience, and fun.

Those left to cherish her memory are her children: Lisa Lever of Omaha, Linda and Mike Dannehl of Bertrand, Nebraska, and Bill and Karen Edwards of Tigard, Oregon; grandchildren: Jeffrey Dannehl of Lincoln, Nebraska, Sarah and Travis Leonard of Omaha, Tony and Brittany Lever of Omaha, Jennifer and Ross Jensen of Lincoln, John Edwards of Linn Valley, Kansas, Christopher and Summer Edwards of Lonsdale, Minnesota, Elizabeth and Michael Grinde of Olathe, Kansas, and Lucas Edwards of Tigard; great-grandchildren: Scarlett and Jett Costello, Deacon and Isla Lever, Miles Jensen, Westley Edwards, and Baby Edwards on the way, and Rowan Grinde; four loving nieces and nephews and their spouses: Kurt and Linda Christensen, Terri and Don Bailey, Tracy and Brian Kindler, and Joie and Ed White; extended family and friends; and her loyal canine companion, Bear.  Nancy was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; her parents; her brother, Richard, in infancy; her sister, Suzanne Frances Christensen and brother-in-law Jack Christensen; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Lowell Walter and Amber Laura (Haven) Edwards.