Nancy Jane Taylor DePriest

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho - Nancy Jane Taylor DePriest, 90, passed away Thursday, Oct. 14, 2004, in Coeur d'Alene, with her family by her side.
Nancy was born Dec. 30, 1913, at the Taylor Ranch west of Cleveland, Mont. She was the first of two children born to Frank and Warne Taylor. She was especially proud of her beloved childhood home in the Bear Paws and was an expert on the history of the ranch and the surrounding area. She shared her experiences of growing up on the ranch with anyone interested in hearing about early ranch life.
Nancy attended grade school at Peoples Creek School near the ranch where the teacher often boarded with the family. She attended high school at the Ursuline Academy in Great Falls, graduating in 1932. She then attended Northern Montana College to become a teacher. She taught at Ada, Lloyd and Cleveland - all one-room country schools.
Nancy was teaching at the Cleveland School when she met Jack DePriest. They were married at the ranch, Aug. 25, 1940. Born to this union were four children. Nancy was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and daughter. Time spent with her grandchildren was cherished by Nancy and she lovingly cared for her own mother for many years.
In 1943, Jack and Nancy started the DePriest Trucking business in Chinook - still in operation today by their son Frank and his sons. Nancy kept her eye on the business from her east window, where she had a good view of the shop and the Sugar Factory.
Nancy loved her home where she lived for 63 years. Anyone who knew Nancy knows she was a caretaker, not just to her family, but to all her neighbors and friends that meant so much to her. She wasn't one to be out and about, but looked forward to "company" at her house for a meal, a cup of tea, a cinnamon roll, a piece of pie and most importantly, some good conversation. Her recipes and cooking tips were highly regarded!
Nancy loved to spend time in the Bear Paws - particularly at "the cabin," cooking on her wood stove, fishing at #2, playing cards and entertaining droppers by. Many a day one would see the old gray suburban heading south.
Nancy was proud of her big garden and enjoyed sharing produce with others. She was an accomplished seamstress, an avid reader, a competitive card player and an excellent writer. She enjoyed watching many sporting events - and was particularly animated if one of her children or grandchildren was participating. She loved the outdoors and all God's creatures and could spot a deer a half-mile away from a moving vehicle!
Nancy would want you to remember her in her kitchen, or better yet, cooking on the little stove in her camp wagon.
Nancy was preceded in death by Jack in 1994, her husband of 54 years; her parents; and her brother, Warner.
Survivors include her son, Frank of Chinook; daughters Moselle DePriest of Kalispell, Anita DePriest Magnuson and Jacki DePriest of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; grandchildren Todd and Scott DePriest, Kristin Nordberg, Anne Binger, Jimmy and Nancy (Clancy) Magnuson, and Elli Taylor Tindall; two great-grandchildren, Holden Binger and Ansley Nordberg; sister-in-law Emma Taylor; and her nieces, the Taylor girls.
Services for Nancy will be Saturday, Oct. 23, at 2 p.m., in the Chinook High School Auditorium. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the United Methodist Church, P.A.W.S., the Blaine County Museum, Hospice or the charity of one's choice.
As a tribute to Nancy, do something nice for someone else today.