Nancy “Nan” Ellen
Chase, 72, of Stevens Point, born to eternal life at her home on Tuesday, Nov.
5th, surrounded by the family that was the central focus of her life. Nan
fought cancer for over a year, and in her final months was lovingly cared for
in their home by her husband, Richard Chase. In her last few days her son, Jason, flew in
from his home in Germany, and daughter, Sarah Stricklin, came from Kentucky, so
she could be surrounded by love and support during her final journey.
Nan was born September
27, 1947, in Hillsdale, Michigan, to Glen “Gene” Fuller and June (Burnett)
Fuller. Her childhood was spent with her
extended family, at her grandparents’ house, where they played under the lilac
bushes, jumped off the porch, and fished with Grandpa. She gained a number of skills and interests
that carried on into the life she built with her own family, such as baking,
gardening, and playing Scrabble.
Nan graduated from
Jonesville High School 1965, Ferris State College 1967, Hillsdale College 1973,
and earned a Master’s degree in Library Science from The University of Michigan
1975. She worked as a librarian in
Michigan, including at Lake Superior State University, and later at the West
Bend Public Library from 1997-2012 from which she retired.
She had a lifelong love
of the written word: reading, solving crossword puzzles, and sharing books with
her children. Nan also wrote poetry, and
all her friends and relations looked forward to her yearly Christmas poem. She enjoyed singing and participating in
church choirs and loved to sing around the campfire. Camping and cross country skiing were
pleasures for Nan, but it was in the home that she truly found her life’s
passion and meaning.
She was married for 34
years to Richard Chase, who was her best friend and fondest companion. Whether going for walks, having a coffee
date, or just sitting together with the cat while reading, she always loved
just being with Richard. Together they
raised two children, Jason and Sarah, who in recent years added a new delight
to Nan’s life in the form of grandchildren.
She especially enjoyed traveling to visit Jason and his daughter,
Jasmine, and Sarah and her children, Julia and Alex, in the different places
she was stationed with the United States Army.
She was delighted to see the next generation being introduced to family
traditions such as a pleasure in the outdoors, music, and reading.
Nan was preceded in
death by her father, Glen “Gene” Fuller. She is survived by her husband,
Richard Chase; son, Jason of Frankfurt am Main, Germany; daughter, Sarah
(Chase) Stricklin, of Fort Knox, KY, and her husband, Robie; grandchildren,
Jasmine Chase, Julia and Alexander Stricklin; her mother, June (Burnett)
Fuller, of Ashley, MI; siblings, Linda (Fuller) Ward and her husband, Hal;
Robert Fuller and his wife, Karen; James Fuller; and Stephen Fuller and his
husband, Mike Frickmann; sister-in-law, Laura Chase Long and her husband, Don;
and sister of the heart Kelly, Kielce.
Funeral services will
be held on November 16
th
at The Episcopal Church of the Intercession
(Beloved Community Church), 900 Brilowski Road, Stevens Point. Visitation will
begin at 4:00 P.M. followed by a memorial service at 6:00 P.M. In lieu of
flowers, the family has asked that donations in Nan’s memory be given to the
Interfaith Food Pantry of Plover: P.O. Box 72, Plover, WI 54467.
The Mid-Wisconsin
Cremation Society is assisting the family. For online condolences, please visit
www.HonorOne.com.
