NANCY FRUECHTENICHT

NANCY FRUECHTENICHT 07/18/1943 - 10/07/2025 Nancy Brink Fruechtenicht, 82, died October 7, 2025, while in Hospice Care at Lansing Care and Rehab., Lansing, Kan., from the effects of Parkinson's and severe dementia disease. Nancy was born on July 18, 1943, to parents Walter and Amelia Brink in Evansville, Ind., the second of five children. After graduating from Castle High School in 1961, Nancy studied one year at Purdue University before graduating from Secretarial School in Evansville. She married Stephen Gary Fruechtenicht on a very cold January 2, 1970, in Evansville and began a 55 year life adventure with Steve that only ended at her death. During that journey together, they moved eight times, had nine job changes between them, raised two children (Loretta and Rebecca), cared for three dogs and put up with four cats. During her lifetime, Nancy enjoyed cooking, quilting, crossword puzzles, being a seamstress for herself and the girls, the TV Soaps (The Young and the Restless and Bold and Beautiful were MUSTS!) and family. She was able to retire from railroading in 1998 and enjoyed 18 years of sick free retirement before the onset of Parkinson's and severe dementia in 2016. This journey lasted nine and a half years, with the last 55 months at Lansing Care and Rehab. Gentiva Hospice Care worked at that facility and entered the picture in September 2024. Steve, Loretta, and Rebecca are very thankful and grateful for the loving care and comfort given by these two groups. We are also very grateful to Pastor Ed Mease during his years of service at St. Paul before retirement and Pastor Dale Skurla since January for their care and concern. Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Amelia Brink, siblings Brandon, Dennis and Daniel Brink, and granddaughter Rebecca Armistead. She is survived by her husband Steve, daughters Loretta Armistead and Rebecca Bolin, sister Patricia Brink, nieces Anna (Mike) Spratt and Andrea Coomer, nephews Aaron Beall, Kurt (Natalie) Brink, and Christopher Brink, Brian (Emily) Fruechtenicht, granddaughter Sarah Jackson, and great-grandson Oliver Jackson. Steve and Nancy joined St. Paul Lutheran Church and School after moving to Leavenworth in late 2000 in order to support parochial school education. Nancy got involved in the Quilters Group, Small Groups Bible Study, Ladies Aid, Back Pack Buddies, and the Annual 7th Street Feast Dinner on Thanksgiving Day. While baptized and confirmed in American Lutheran Church, Nancy joined Lutheran Church Missouri Synod when she married Steve. A strong faith in God gave her the strength to deal with life's many ups and downs. From a blind date that turned out to be quite successful, they had a great life together. The Nancy we all knew, loved, and sometimes just put up with left us over five years ago. Her earthly body hung around until Tuesday, October 7. God took her soul to Heaven at 5:50 p.m. Nancy has been cremated. Committal will occur when Steve passes and will be at Leavenworth National Cemetery. Her Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at St. Paul Lutheran Church and School, Leavenworth. Visitation will be at 9 a.m., service at 10 a.m. and lunch for all by the Ladies Aid in the church basement at 1130 a.m. Memorial contributions can be made to St. Paul School or Paul's Buffet. Arrangements are entrusted to Davis Funeral Chapel, Leavenworth.