Nancy Doane

1931 - 2024

At the age of 93, Nancy Luanne Doane passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on November 5. She was born on September 16, 1931, in Menomonie, WI, the youngest of seven children born to Milton and Emilie (Giese) Stratton.

Nancy grew up in Menomonie, graduating from Menomonie High School in 1949, and later went on to earn her teaching degree from Dunn County Normal in 1952.

During her high school years, Nancy was a talented and active member of the school community, serving as majorette for the Menomonie High School marching band and drum major for the Ludington Guard Band. After earning her teaching degree, she taught in rural one-room schoolhouses in the communities of Hall, Louisville, and Forest Center, where she taught children of all ages in the same classroom.

On September 4, 1953, Nancy married Russell Doane in a private ceremony, and together they spent 71 years building a life full of love, hard work, and shared dedication to their family and farm in the town of Spring Brook. Nancy not only cared for her children but also opened her home to hired hands who worked on the farm. She was a partner in every sense, from delivering home-cooked meals to the field, to milking cows, running errands, all while helping Doane, Ltd. and Chippewa Valley Bean thrive.

In addition to her role as a homemaker and business partner, Nancy was deeply involved in her community. She volunteered her time and energy to numerous organizations, including the American Legion Auxiliary, the Dunn County Historical Society, the Dunn County Community Foundation, and the Association of Home and Community Education (HCE). One of her great passions was reading, a love she passed down to her children and grandchildren. She shared her love of books with hundreds of Head Start students, administering the First Book Program, reading in classrooms, and ensuring children had books of their own to enjoy.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Milton and Emilie Stratton; her in-laws, Raymond and Verna Doane; her son, Mark John Doane; her siblings and their spouses, Harold & Leona Stratton, Richard & Jane Stratton, Ruth & Joe Quigley, Carol & Gloria Stratton, Robert & Carole Stratton, Mary Gene & Morgan Ziegler; and brother-in-law, Richard Doane.

She is survived by her loving husband, Russell Doane; her children, Cindy (Bob) Brown, Ruth Anne (Darryl) Hofland, and Brian (Jenny) Doane; her grandchildren, Charles Wachsmuth, Marcus, Stephanie, and Alexis Doane; and her great-granddaughter, Claire Wachsmuth. She is also survived by a wide circle of extended family and dear friends, including Kevin Bipes, Bob and Joyce Wachsmuth, their children and spouses, Brent and Dawn Wachsmuth, Dawn and Marq Spusta, and their grandchildren, Tyler, Amber, Lukas, Izaiah, Maybel, and Elyse.

A life celebration in honor of Nancy will be held on Monday, November 11 at New Hope Lutheran Church in Downsville, WI. Visitation will begin at 1:30 p.m., followed by a funeral service at 3 p.m. Interment will take place immediately following the service at Forest Center Cemetery. All are invited to join the family for dinner at the church following the interment. Special friend and Pastor Judy Kincaid officiating.

Memorials may be made to the Forest Center Cemetery Association, the Dunn County Historical Society, or New Hope Lutheran Church.

Nancy's legacy of love, service, and devotion to family and community will continue to inspire all who knew her.

To share a memory, please visit obituaries at olsonfuneral.com.