Nancy Kay (Steffensen) Monson, 63, departed to her heavenly home on Dec. 16, 2011, from St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, following a long struggle with cancer and other infections.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City with the Rev. Rod Hopp officiating. Burial will take place in Salem Memorial Cemetery, rural Lake Mills, Iowa. Visitation with her family will be from 4 to 7 pm. Tuesday at Mittelstadt Funeral Home, 902 East Main Street in Lake Mills, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday.

Nancy Kay (Steffensen) Monson was born on Sept. 11, 1948, to DeVere and Clarine Steffensen of Leland, Iowa. She was baptized, confirmed, and married at Salem Lutheran Church in Lake Mills.

Nancy Monson graduated from Lake Mills Community Schools in 1966. She earned her Associate of Arts from Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa, and her Bachelors of Arts in Art Education from Mankato State University.

Nancy was united in marriage to David C. Monson on July 29, 1972. Nancy had a heart of gold. She was a loving, giving individual and was known as the listening ear to many of her colleagues at Forest Elementary School, where she taught elementary art for 26 years. Her Christian faith and caring spirit were apparent to all who knew her and came to her for support, as well as to the many students and parents whose lives she touched throughout the years.

Nancy was an avid quilter and cherished the time she spent with her quilting group friends and the couples Bible study group she and Dave belonged to for many years. Nancy’s hobbies included quilting, gardening, art in its many forms, music and singing, and the frequent family gatherings with the “Aunts of the Oval Table” and the entire family. In 1983, Nancy was selected as the Iowa Young Mother of the Year. She was active in 4-H both as a member and as a leader, as well as serving on county committees. Nancy and David served on the board of New Horizons Adoption Agency.

Nancy leaves behind her faithful, loving husband, David; and two daughters: Anne Kristine and Kathleen (Katie) Elizabeth, both of Leland. She is also survived by her mother, Clarine Steffensen, of Lake Mills, Iowa, and siblings: Lou Ann (Richard) Mikes of Ventura and Sanibel, Fla., Patricia (Curtis) Nelson of Northwood, Julie (Leigh) Foster of Boone, Rebecca (Larry) Hill of Thompson and DeRay (Karen) Steffensen of Goshen, Ind.; brother-in-law, Paul (Marilyn) Monson, Newell; and nine nephews, six nieces, and 17 great-nephews and nieces.

Nancy was preceded in death by her father, DeVere Steffensen; a nephew, Michael Nelson; grandparents, parents-in-law, Cynthia and Bert Monson; and brother-in-law, Gary Monson.

You can contact the family with online condolences at www.mittelstadtfuneralhome.com.