Nancy Lou Greiner

Nancy Lou (Thornton) Flickinger Greiner, age 86 of Des Moines, formerly of Nevada, Iowa, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at her residence.

Nancy Lou Thornton was born on March 19, 1939, to Jesse and Golda (Grider) Thornton in Ames, Iowa. She joined 2 older sisters, Clura and Annbert. Nancy graduated from Ames High School in 1957. She attended Iowa Wesleyan College and graduated from Iowa School of Beauty in 1959. Nancy married the love of her life, Dennis Wayne Flickinger, on July 3, 1959, in Ames, Iowa. From that marriage they were blessed with four children, Sandra, Steven, Shelly and Sheryl; affectionately known to close friends and family as Sis, Bud and The Little Girls.

Nancy and Denny moved to a farm West of Story City in 1971. During their time on the farm, they raised horses, cattle and hogs. Nancy took pride in her very large garden and many beautiful flowers. She remained on the farm after Denny's death in 1983.

Nancy moved from the farm to her childhood community of Ames in 1986.

Nancy co-owned and operated The Clothesline consignment shop in Ames with her childhood best friend, JoAnn Borer. Of her many jobs, this was her favorite but also most challenging. She married Charles Greiner in 1990 and managed their photography business. They resided in Nevada, IA until their divorce in 2018. In Nevada, Nancy was a member of Memorial Lutheran Church.

Nancy enjoyed spending time with her closest friends, watching movies, camping, crafting, crocheting and gardening. She had a green thumb and could grow anything. She also delighted in spending time with her family and adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Denny, parents, sister Clura Rice, brother-in-law Richard Rice, sister Annbert Honsinger, brother-in-law Jack Honsinger, father-in-law Harold Flickinger, mother-in-law Ethyle Flickinger, sister-in-law Mona Bagby and brother-in-law Dean Bagby.

Left to cherish her memories include her four children, Sandra (Howard) Hecht of Des Moines, Steven Flickinger of Maxwell, Shelly (James) Brown of Altoona, and Sheryl (Garry) Patterson of Berthoud, CO; sister-in-law, Joyce Flickinger McGaughey of St. Augustine, FL; grandchildren and great grandchildren, Christopher (Tara) Amundson, Kaia and Harper of Waukee, IA, Lissa (Ryan) Fulkerson, Kallie, Grant and Olive of Huxley, Michele (Justin) Marvin, Brody, Reagan and Addilyn of Indianola, Kyle (Caitlin) Jacobsen, Cooper, Ethan and Kenzie of Altoona, Rachel Blakesley of Ankeny, Samantha Corso, Sebastian and Cyrus of Bellevue, WA, Ashley (Chris) Byron, Rylee and CJ of Peyton, CO, Haven Brey, Jesse, Elias and Everly of Topeka, KS.

A private family burial is planned with no visitation, per Nancy's wishes. She will be laid to rest at Story City Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the Alzheimer's Association or The Leukemia And Lymphoma Society.

Her children would like to thank Unity Point Hospice for their excellent care and Edencrest at Beaverdale for her 7 years of close friendships and caring, especially to: Jackson, Najim, Mikalene, Brandy, Heidi and many others who always made her day extra special. To Unity Point Internal Medicine in Ankeny-Dr Michelle Burgard and Ronda, we can't thank all of you enough for your kindness and care.

Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home in Nevada has been entrusted with the care of Nancy and her arrangements. Condolences may be shared online with the family at www.rasmussonfh.com.