Nancy Gelle

Nancy Gelle, age 70, passed away peacefully with family by her side on the morning of September 3, 2025 at the hospice facility she helped establish, Little Hospice in Edina, Minnesota. Nancy Jane Gelle was born March 11,1955 in Fort Meade, Maryland to Robert and Jane (Jacobson) Gelle. She grew up in Northfield, Minnesota, graduated from Northfield High School and then proceeded to the Nursing program at St. Olaf College in Northfield. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1977 and immediately took a job in oncology at Park Nicollet where she established her legacy as a leader in hospice and palliative care during her 44-year career. As the leader of the hospice and palliative care programs Nancy was beloved by her nurses, social workers, and staff as a mentor whose door was always open and a reliably calm leader. In 1996 Nancy teamed with Bob Solheim to found the first residential hospice facility in Minnesota: Little Hospice. Nancy was proud of her work with the Park Nicollet Foundation starting the Growing through Grief program that offered in-school support to K-12 students coping with the death of a loved one. Nancy joined the Park Nicollet Foundation Board in 2022 and served as its chair from 2024 to her passing. During her tenure at Park Nicollet and HealthPartners, Nancy was repeatedly recognized for her impact with patients and leadership of the care givers of these programs. Among her awards were: · Lane W. Adams American Cancer Society Award for Oncology Nurses - 1989 · Sigrid Gilbertson Award for Professional Education American Cancer Society Minnesota Division - 1992 · Sarah Harrison Knight Award- Excellence in Nursing Leadership Methodist Hospital - 1993 · Excellence in Oncology Nursing Metro MN Oncology Nurses - 1995 · HealthPartners Presidents Award - 2014 · Park Nicollet Foundation Community Service Award - 2020 · Dedicated the Nancy Gelle Room in the Methodist Hospital Oncology Unit. Nancy grew up with her family - father Robert, mother Jane, brothers Mark and Fred, and sister Susan - in Northfield, Minnesota. She said that growing up as a coach's daughter made her comfortable with uncertainty and leading teams. Nancy credited her mother, a teacher, with teaching her to have patience and acceptance. She remained close to her family throughout her life as they all settled in the Minneapolis-St Paul metropolitan area with their spouses and families. In 1985 Nancy became known, and eventually famous, as "Aunt Nancy" with the birth of the first of her nine nieces and nephews. During the formative years of "the nine" Nancy attended almost every sporting event that her nieces and nephews played over a twenty-five year period. She was renowned for her generosity and unwavering support. In her retirement Nancy enjoyed reading and doing puzzles with Susan, Scott and their family at their cabin in Wisconsin. Nancy is survived by her siblings Mark (Claudia), Fred (Debbie), and Susan (Scott) Nelson; nieces and nephews Andrea (Moriah), Matthew (Jessica) Nelson, Maren (Paul) Henderson, Jessica (Jacob) Burns, Elizabeth (Mike), Nathan, Molly (Jared) Britson, Hannah (Luke), and Amy (Thomas) Heraly; grand nieces and nephews Arlo and Bergen (Andrea), Camden, Penelope, and Margot (Matthew), Otto and August (Maren), Tula and Nels (Jessica), Audrey and Desmond (Elizabeth), Birdie and Mae (Molly). She was preceded in death by her father Robert and mother Jane. Sincere and loving appreciation is extended by the family to the doctors, nurses and staff of Little Hospice and Park Nicollet Hospice who provided kind, compassionate, and loving care for Nancy and her family at her chosen place to spend her final days. The family also wants to extend a heartfelt thank you to Nancy's friends and coworkers who were so kind to take advantage of Nancy's "open door policy" and visit with her during her stay. A celebration of Nancy's life will be held 4-7pm September 11 at Washburn McReavy Funeral Chapel 5000 W 50th St. Edina. A private family celebration will be held at the cabin. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to the Nancy Gelle Hospice Special Needs Fund or Little Hospice.