Nancy Louise Miller Critz

NANCY LOUISE MILLER CRITZ Nancy Louise Miller Critz, age 86, of Prairie Home, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, October 11, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones. The family held services on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at Prairie Home United Methodist. Memorials are suggested to Endless Options, Inc. in care of HowardMillard Funeral Home. A second service and inurnment will be held at Elm Creek Catholic Cemetery in Nebraska on Saturday, October 18, 2025. Nancy was born on January 30, 1939, in Kearney, Nebraska, to James and Fern (McCarter) Miller. She was the second of eight children and proudly the eldest daughter a title she often reminded everyone of. Raised on the Miller family farm, Nancy learned the value of hard work, family, and laughter early on, lessons she carried with her for the rest of her life. From her first marriage to Keith Sterling Shuck, she welcomed three children, Kellie Louise, William Joseph, and Tracy Marie. On February 13, 1971, she married Donald Fred Critz, and together they completed their family with his children and their daughter, Heather Dawnelle. During their 53 years of marriage, Nancy and Don shared a life full of love, laughter, and adventure. They lived in several states before finally putting down roots in Prairie Home, Missouri, where they loved going to the Prairie Home Fair. They loved nothing more than camping, boating, and water skiing with friends and family first at Bluestem Lake in Nebraska and later at the Lake of the Ozarks. While she may have lived for many years as a Missourian, Nancy was always a lifelong Cornhusker fan proudly wearing red to honor her favorite football team. Nancy had a quick wit, a big heart, and a way of making everyone feel like family. She loved putting together jigsaw puzzles, watching Wheel of Fortune, playing Words with Friends, and having a cold McDonald's caramel frappe at the end of each day. Her greatest joy, though, was spending time with her family, whether around the kitchen table, at the lake, or simply on the phone texting with her kids and grandkids. Nancy was incredibly hardworking and proud of it. She often said that people "got to go to work, not had to," a phrase that perfectly summed up her attitude toward life. Over the years, she worked in many places from Dr. Statton's office, where she made lifelong friends, to West Junior High School and Woodhaven. She also worked alongside Don as an optician and bookkeeper for their optical businesses and later at the Prairie Home Post Office, where she loved visiting with everyone who came through the door. Nancy is survived by her daughters: Kellie Shuck (Dave Edwards) of Prairie Home, Tracy Prenosil (Greg) of Lincoln, NE, Heather Crews (Angie Malone) of Prairie Home, and Jana Covert (Tim) of Inman, KS; her son, Tim Critz (Tonya) of Minot, ND; her siblings: Betty Rayl (Dennis), Larry Miller (Shelley), Lori Miller, and Jennie Miller; her grandchildren: Jason Moats (Marissa), Jeff Moats, Amber Brevik (Dax), Chris Covert (Susie), Taylor Shuck (Alexia), Tiffany Shuck (Spencer Sears), Alex Covert (Millie), Nicole Hatfield (Zach), Alyssa Boman (Will), Emily Ast (Brady), Wesley Critz, Kaelyn Crews, Lily Prenosil, Kate Crews, and Riley Shuck; and many great-grandchildren who adored their "Grandma Nancy." She was preceded in death by her husband, Don; her son, Bill Shuck; her parents, James and Fern Miller; and siblings, Howard Miller, George Miller, and Jo Ann Brickner. Nancy will be remembered for her humor, her strength, and her unwavering love for her family. She taught her children the value of hard work, the importance of kindness, and the joy of laughter lessons they will carry forever. In her final days, Nancy continued to embody that same quiet strength. On the night she began hospice care, she surprised her daughters by getting up on her own and walking to the bathroom. When asked how she managed it, she replied simply, "One step at a time." Those words perfectly capture how she lived her life steady, determined, and full of grace one step at a time. Arrangements are under the direction of HowardMillard Funeral Home, 1397 Ashley Rd., Boonville, MO 65233. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.howardfh.com.