Nancy J. ALSTAD

January 3, 1933 - December 5, 2024

Nancy J. Alstad was born on January 3, 1933, to Ray and Elizabeth Turnbaugh in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. She was the big sister to her brother, David. Nancy was a very active person while growing up. Her hobbies, to name a few, were to sew, bake, enjoy the outdoors and play with her little brother. While in high school, she was an avid swimmer and enjoyed being a lifeguard during the summer months. She also learned to roller skate, which is where she met her soon to be husband. They were both speed skaters and competitive dance skaters, competing at every opportunity. After graduating from high school, Nancy moved to the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Chuck. There they started their life, raising six children. Raising her children put a sparkle in her eyes. She loved to be that "room mother" for each of the kids while they were growing up, being active in the PTA, and helping with field trips as a chaperone; always trying to be involved. Nancy would encourage her children as well, even tolerating all the musical instruments that they wanted to play. Nancy was also ambitious with entrepreneurial skills which is something she loved, second to being a wife and mother. Once she became an "empty nester" Nancy did several things, like small business management, Barbie Doll Fashion of the Month Club, quilting, and baking sweet treats.

Once she got the quilting bug, she knew what she wanted to do the rest of her life. Her passion for sewing, which started early in her life, gave her a desire to create every type of quilt you could imagine. She loved to show others how easy it was to learn to quilt, so she started teaching quilting classes. She once said that the enjoyment she got out of seeing others with their final quilt projects brought her a sense of accomplishment.

Nancy had a natural desire to help anyone that was in need. She knew first-hand how hard life could be, so she enjoyed knowing that she could have a positive impact on others when given an opportunity. Although she dealt with struggles like everyone else, no one would know it as her smile was something she put on every day without thought.

Nancy enjoyed getting as many family members together, as often as possible, so she could hear what was happening in their lives. She cherished the moments when the grandchildren would come and spend the weekend with her. Trips to McDonalds would always prove to be a big hit!

On December 5, 2024, Nancy went to be with her Heavenly Father. Nancy was a professed Christian and tried living her life as such. She was preceded in death by her entire birth family, and her son-in law, Ben. Nancy is survived by her six children, Rick and wife, Karen, Curt and wife, Dawn, David, Kathi, Bonnie and husband, Ralph, and Scott and wife, Dawn; as well as seven grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.

With her Christ-like example of unconditional love that she portrayed in her daily living, she will truly be missed by all that knew her. We look forward to the day that we will see her again in Heaven.