Nancy Kristine DEMING

January 19, 1943 - August 28, 2025

Nancy Deming passed away peacefully on August 28, 2025, at the age of 82. Nancy was born in Billings, Montana, on January 19, 1943, to Gordon and Esther (Bohl) Brandon, who farmed on the nearby Huntley irrigation project. When Nancy was young, the family relocated to Cut Bank, Montana. She grew up on a farm along the Milk River with her sister Jane and brothers Sidney and Curt. Life on the prairie, where Nancy attended a one-room schoolhouse and was active in 4-H, shaped her into the capable, hard-working and resourceful woman she became.

After graduating from Cut Bank High School, Nancy studied cosmetology in Spokane, and trained as a florist in Portland, Oregon. While spending the summer in Cut Bank, Nancy stopped at the farmer's co-op for gas. The attendant, Ron Deming, invited her on a date to the fair. When Nancy hosted Ron for supper at the Brandon house, and served peach pie for dessert, he knew he had found the love of his life. They were married at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Missoula, where Ron attended the University of Montana, on October 26, 1963.

Nancy and Ron began their married life in Great Falls, later moving to Billings, and eventually Spokane Valley. Together they raised four children-Paul, Darcy, Mark, and Jennifer. Nancy poured her boundless energy into motherhood and homemaking: cooking nightly family dinners, serving fresh-baked cookies after school, sewing dresses, wallpapering bathrooms, cutting hair, tending her garden, and fixing anything that needed repair. Nancy stayed constantly in motion working on projects large and small.

As her children grew older, Nancy embarked on her biggest project of all, fulfilling her dream of owning a flower shop. With her trademark determination and work ethic, she built Flower Patch into a thriving Spokane Valley business. Nancy's passion in life was bringing joy to others through her labors. Her elegant flower arrangements and warm smile brought beauty and light to the lives of many.

When Nancy retired from Flower Patch, she devoted her energies to her growing family of grandchildren: Casey, Evan, Maria, Dominic, Christina, Henry, Dylan, Morgan, Brian, Grace, and Danny. The family camping trips, vacations to Ocean Shores, and fried chicken dinners at Grandma's house, will live forever in family lore, but Nancy's famous hamburger cookouts were the show stealer. Picnics in the forests of Montana, Idaho and Washington centered around Nancy and her trusty cast-iron skillet, frying the world's best hamburgers over a wood fire. In those moments, surrounded by her delighted loved ones, she was truly in her element.

Alzheimer's disease robbed Nancy of these joys in her later years, but she never lost the sparkle in her eye and drive to keep busy. When she and Ron moved from their home of 30 years into senior living, she brought her sewing machine and tool set. When she could no longer bake for the family, she made do by fetching free cookies from the lobby, which she delivered to Ron and the kids.

Nancy lived her last days in memory care at Orchard Crest Retirement Community with her adoring husband of 62 years by her side. She enjoyed visits from family, friends and neighbors in her final months and was attended by Ron and her children until death.

Nancy converted to Catholicism before marrying Ron and remained committed to her faith throughout her life. She and Ron attended Mass weekly during their time together. Even after she lost the faculties of memory and speech, she could recite her prayers perfectly. She embodied Christ in her selfless service to her family and community and joins her Savior in heaven.

Nancy is preceded in death by her father Gordon, mother Esther, brother Sid, daughter- in-law Elizabeth (Oberlander) Deming, and many beloved aunts, uncles and cousins. She leaves behind her husband Ron, four children and spouses, eleven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Her presence on Earth will be forever missed.

Funeral to be held on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at the St. Mary Catholic Church in Spokane Valley. Rosary at 9:30 AM. Mass at 10:00 AM. Reception afterward in the parish adult center. Please consider donations in lieu of flowers to Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington or Alzheimer's Foundation of America.