Nancy R. Stepp

Nancy R. Stepp, 85, Lincoln, loving wife of Professor Robert E. Stepp Jr., died Tuesday (3/8/05) at BryanLGH Medical Center East with son Robert III at her side after a long illness stemming from emphysema. Her sons John and Larry also spent many hours at the hospital.

Born, Tulsa, Okla., (12/27/19), to Milton and Lora (Culver) Rice. Nancy grew up in Chillicothe, Mo., and graduated from Chillicothe High School in 1936. She earned an associate's degree from Columbia College in Columbia, Mo. Nancy received her bachelor's degree from Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo., and in 1967 she completed a Master of Arts degree in library science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

When just 16, Nancy taught at a one-room country school in rural Missouri. She and Robert moved to Lincoln in 1946. She began her career with Lincoln Public Schools as a second-grade teacher at Randolph Elementary School from 1962 to 1967. She then moved to Holmes Elementary School, where she was the media specialist. In 1978, she became the media specialist at Pershing Elementary School. Her final assignment was to help design and establish the library at the new Fredstrom Elementary School. She was a member of the Lincoln Teachers Association, the Nebraska Education Association, the National Education Association, and the Nebraska Educational Media Association. Retiring in 1981, she then became a member of the Alpha 81 group of retired Lincoln Public School teachers.

Nancy was an accomplished pianist and played organ at the Elm Street Methodist Church in Chillicothe. In Lincoln, she taught piano lessons in her home. She was an avid crossword puzzle enthusiast and enjoyed collecting owl figurines and knitting sweaters and afghans.

Survivors: devoted husband of 61 years, Professor Robert E. Stepp, Jr.; sons, daughter-in-law, Robert III, John, both Lincoln, Larry and Vicki, Tucson, Ariz.; grandsons, wife, David and Aimee, Redwood City, Calif., Martin, Tacoma, Wash., Michael, Tucson.

No visitation; cremation. No local services. Private graveside services will be held at a later date in Chillicothe. Memorials, in lieu of flowers: Stepp Memorial, 301 Barkley Memorial Center, UNL, Lincoln 68583-0738, with check payable to "University of Nebraska." Condolences: condolences@wyuka.com. q