Nancy Vandenput

Nancy J. Vandenput (81) was born to Marvel (Kahler) and Clarence Schaal and raised in a close-knit family valuing spiritual growth, lifelong learning, and a work ethic. Favorite childhood memories involve exploration with cousins around their Grandparents' Olanda (Piepenberg) and Walter Kahler's farm, then racing to Grandma Flora (Zahn) and Grandpa Dudley Schaal's house for warm hugs and fresh-baked bread. She graduated from Preble where she met Donald and followed her heart to the altar in September 1961. The enduring spirit of commitment carried them for 39 years until Don's unexpected departure in October 2000. Nancy's first job, wrapping packages at Kohl's Gift Shop, became a skill for life; she delighted in seeing faces light up when people saw her elaborate and charming creations. She was a beautician at Preble Beauty Shop and cut hair in her basement for friends, family, and neighbors. Later, she worked with her mom at North Trail Sportswear until developing an autoimmune condition. Nancy transformed hardship into beauty by using her health experiences to share insights with others on their healing journeys. Nancy loved learning and expressed wonder about things she was exploring right up until she left, including curiosity about her own end-of-life. She created a magical atmosphere in her simple home to lift spirits in the face of challenges. Every window contained crystals that flooded the rooms with colorful prisms when the sun shined in. Nancy liked walks in the woods and inherited from her father a joy of sports cars. She believed in the power of kindness, and of every green herb grown by God from the earth as sources of nourishment to body, mind, and spirit. Survivors include daughter, Stacy Vandenput, grandchildren Sage, Jade, and Raven, great-grandchildren Haylem and Belle, brother Richard Schaal (Helen), God-daughters Carrie Schaal and Jessica Daul, in-laws Jim Vandenput and Kay Mallien, nieces, nephews, cousins, dear friends Cyndy, Jude, Sheila, Reisa, Faye, Irene, and many others. Nancy is preceded in death by husband Donald, her rainbow-child Chad, parents Marvel and Clarence, step father Robert Elbe, in-laws Marjorie and Henry Vandenput, Gary Mallien, and Rosie Vandenput, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and many dear elders, teachers, and friends in her naturopathic health circles.

Visitation and memorial service: Saturday, May 6th, 2023, 9:00-11:45 am-Nicolet Memorial Gardens. A meal at the UWGB Mauthe center and afternoon walk on the arboretum will follow. The service will be live-streamed via Webex. Call or text Stacy for the link.