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Nancy Dear Obituary
Cremation will be under the direction of Croxford Funeral Home. Her family, daughters Dee Dee Rains and Barbara Pepper (Russell) and grandchildren Traver and Matt Rains and Jamie Wood (Jeff), will host a celebration of life memorial 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Simms Lions Club Hall.
Nancy was born June 15, 1919. Born in White Sulphur Springs and raised on the back of a horse, Nancy's lifelong commitment was to the quarter horse and Angus cattle industries through her ranch, the Birdtail. Her devotion was to her family (including deceased husbands, Doug Dear and Tuck Barrett) and her church.
She was a key founding member of the MQHA and Cascade County Farm Bureau, inducted into the AQHA and Cowgirl Halls of Fame, member of ZONTA International, Angus associations, Montana Stock Growers Association and an outstanding 4-H leader. Nancy attended White Sulphur Springs High School, Kinman Business College and Montana State College, where she was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi. Nancy has registered a quarter horse foal for the past 64 consecutive years. Proud of her stallions and mares, Nancy found the most joy in watching people discover the magic of riding a horse.
Please email [email protected] for information on memorial contributions.
Condolences may be posted online at www.croxfordfuneralhome.com and/or www.gftribune.com/obituaries.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Nancy Dear
Deb Jacobsen
March 22, 2013
Barb, Russ, Jamie, Jeff, Dee Dee and family, It saddened my heart to hear of the passing of Nancy. She's a special Lady. Remember the good times and keep them close to your hearts.
Dorothy Filson
March 21, 2013
Sincere condolences to Nancy's family and friends. She was wise and kind and her legacy will live on forever. Her love of family, friends, animals, nature and our beautiful state were legendary.
Nancy was my father, Henry's, last remaining cousin. I feel honored to have known her and have shared the bond of common blood.
May Nancy rest in peace in God's loving care and join those she loved while she was here.
And, may we find some comfort that Nancy lives on in this anonymous quotation:
“Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there. I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning's hush. I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circling flight. I am the soft star that shines at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry. I am not there. I did not die.”
March 21, 2013
She was an amazing lady with lots of grace. Just being around her made us all better.
Nora Seekins
Connie O'Loughlin
Kathy Hall
March 20, 2013
I remember seeing Nancy at many, many horse sales....Nancy and her little dog!
My condolences to the Dear family.
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March 20, 2013
Hi, Dee Dee, Sorry for your loss. How wonderful it must be to have had such a wonderful women in you life. Lisa Kenney-Oleson
Chris and Scotty Mooney
March 20, 2013
Dee Dee, Russel, and Barb,and families,
My mom,Marj Johnson called me I was very saddened to hear of Nancy death. She was a great insiprarion to me. I really enjoyed visiting with your mom. I was reall glad to see how happ her and Grandpa Tuck were when they were together. Now she can be with those she has loved and wathch over those still on earth. She will be missed. My love and condolences are with all of you.
LaRue Schara
March 20, 2013
Dee Dee and family, I saw of the passing of your mother and want to extend my sympathy to you. It is always hard to part with them. Our prayers and thoughts are with you. You will always hold a special place in my heart. Love always, LaRue (Brumwell) Schara
March 20, 2013
To the Family of Nancy
We are so sorry about Nancy's passing.
The Andersen's & The McCanns of Simms.
Dick and Annette Trebesch
March 20, 2013
Barb,Russ,Dee Dee and families,
We were saddened to hear of Nancy's passing. What an incredible lady! She will be missed by all who knew her. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
March 20, 2013
Dee Dee, Traver, Matt, Jamie, Barb, and Russ,
Our valley has lost another wonderful "old timer". What memories I have of spending countless hours in the care of Nancy and Doug. It was my second home and I always felt a part of the family. Nancy had a passion for good horses and she and Doug made a successful living out of their "love". Nancy was such a grand person and a great lady. What a 4-H leader she was! She spent countless hours working with aspiring horsemen and horsewomen. She loved seeing a good performance at the horse shows and took great pride in a job well done. The horse shows and sales will not be the same without her presence. Rest in peace my mentor and friend. May all of you take comfort in the fact that Nancy went out on her own terms and was strong and independent up to the end...a true testimony to her spirit. What precious memories you will have to fill the void created by her passing.
Love, Susie (Sauke) Egbert
linda johnson
March 20, 2013
I don't know if you will remember me but I have great memories of all of you. My family and yours were friends and we visited your ranch when we were children. I loved riding horses with you and never liked riding any other horses here in Illinois as they weren't trained like yours were. So many fond memories of our visits with your family! My parents were Lyle and Eleanor Peterson long time friends of Doug and Nancy. My prayers of peace and God's love to surround you at this time! Linda Lee Peterson Johnson
March 20, 2013
Dear Dee Dee,
I read about the passing of your mother and wanted you to know of my thoughts and prayers in your behalf. May you receive comfort in your faith at this difficult time in your life.
It was fun to read about your mother and the long and active life she lived. I hope that you will be comforted in the many wonderful memories you have of her.
With love,
Dale Christensen
March 19, 2013
We are so sorry to hear of Nancy's passing. I am sure she is enjoying her next life. She is a great lady. John and Diana Warner
March 19, 2013
Dee Dee and Jamie, I am sorry for your loss.
Kelly (Coil) Stone
Lynda Morin
March 19, 2013
I enjoyed knowing Nancy for the past 17 years. She loved her family, her ranch and her horses. Nancy was always pleasant and it was a pleasure to know her. She will be missed!
Please accept my deepest sympathy.
March 19, 2013
Barb and Dee We were sorry to read about your mom's passing. Thank you for putting it in the Bozeman Chronicle. She was quite a lady. I'll always remember her giggle. Oh how she loved to be on the back of a horse! I shared many memories with her and my mom when we toured Bozeman and they relived their college days. You will miss her greatly as will your community. We will be thinking of you and your family as you celebrate her life tomorrow. And you know, you will celebrate her life all the time. Gary and JoLee Scheidecker
Bob McIlhattan
March 19, 2013
Please accept our condolences in the passing of your Mom and Grandmother.
Nancy was a great lady, rancher and horsewoman. We who live the Western Way of life are missing another true friend.
We have sent a contribution in her name to the American Quarter Horse Foundation.
In sincere sympathy,
Bob and Sherry McIlhattan
Wendy Wedum
March 19, 2013
Dee Dee, Barbara, Jamie and your families - so sorry to hear about Nancy's passing. She was a tremendous supporter of 4-H during my years in Cascade County, in addition to her generous statewide support. My condolences for your loss.
Gwenevere Lee
March 19, 2013
Barbara, I was saddened to read of your mother's passing. May your memories console you at this difficult time.
Gwenevere (Bjork) Lee
Nelda & Dan Stroop
March 19, 2013
Dee Dee,
Nelda and I are so sorry to hear about your mother.
We will keep you in our prayers.
March 19, 2013
Jamie and Family -
So very sorry for your loss. What a sweet and spunky lady! Know that you have the support and prayers of all of us here at Special Olympics Montana.
March 19, 2013
My sincere condolences to the Dear family. I always enjoyed visiting with her. She was such a lady and always made a person feel welcome. I will miss her. Dave Wilson
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