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Nancy Stephan Obituary
September 5, 1935 - November 12, 2022
Boise, Idaho - Nancy was raised by Dale and Wanda Snyder, on a farm in Iowa along side her sister Beth Snyder Scherer (Wally). She loved the piano, her pony and school. Nancy met Eldon Stephan at Mankato State University. Following graduation the two educators were married and moved to Washington State. The pony didn't make the move, but the 7 foot Baldwin certainly did! Nancy and Eldon spent the next four decades teaching school in the Puyallup and Sumner School Districts, and raising their daughters, Kristin Stephan Barta (Rick) and Alison Stephan Stark (Merlin). Education, music and time at the beach (second piano) were the primary emphasis during those years. Nancy continued her education, earning a MA and EdD., and became a hard working and much beloved building and district administrator.
After Eldon unexpectedly died in 1992, Nancy retired from the Puyallup School District and spent the next 10 years as a director of International Schools in China and Brazil. (Imagine, a single woman, in her 60s working and traveling extensively throughout Asia and South America, reveling in new relationships with various cultures, music, and people.) In her 70s and 80s, Nancy continued to travel; she planned and took her family on an African safari and various jaunts through Europe. As a volunteer, Nancy headed up several successful art programs and spearheaded opportunities for women and girls through AAUW in Des Moines, WA. Nancy's fierce and fearless passions for education, travel, music and culture live on through her granddaughters, Paige and Charlie Barta. A celebration in memory of a life well-lived will be held in Des Moines,WA next summer.
Nancy's Baldwin has been sold to start a scholarship in honor of Nancy and Eldon Stephan. If interested you may donate to The Stephan Family Scholarship for the Arts by mailing a check to: The Puyallup Schools Foundation, PO Box 55, Puyallup, WA 98371 memo: Stephan Scholarship. Or via Venmo @krisbarta
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Memories and Condolences
for Nancy Stephan
1 Entry
Jon P. Zurfluh
May 29, 2024
I only recently became aware of Nancy's passing. We lost touch many years ago, but I value Nancy as an inspiration to a newly minted administrator who made lots of mistakes. But, Nancy will always be in our memories as I faced serious illness under her caring leadership and also met my wife in the midst of our work together. Emily and I will be forever grateful for her counsel and the many trips we took together from Guangzhou, China. Nancy took a risk on me and set the foundation for me to go forward. I will always remember her and I've recently volunteered for the American International School of Guangzhou alumni committee where I will help to represent her legacy there. My heart goes out to family and friends. I wish you all well and apologies for my belated participation.
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