Nancy Ver Hey

Nancy Elaine (Nielsen) Ver Hey passed in her home surrounded by loved ones on February 26, 2025. She was 87 years old. 

Nancy was born on June 12, 1937, on her grandparent’s farm in Freeborn County to Niels and Dennise (Petersen) Nielsen. She was born, raised, went to school and lived in Freeborn County her whole life. She attended country school in District #35 through eighth grade when the family bought their own farm near Geneva. She graduated from Ellendale High School in 1955. She met Eddie Ver Hey at the outdoor free show in Geneva, and later married on July 21, 1956. They lived in Albert Lea then Hayward until 1961, when they moved to Hollandale on the east shore of Geneva Lake, where they currently reside. They were married 68 years.

Nancy worked at Wilson & Co. as a secretary until 1958 when the family started to grow. She then went to work as a banker for about 40 years. Was active at Community Lutheran Church in Geneva, in Altar Guild, Church Council, Tones Choir, Ladies Group and sewed many quilt tops for the Quilters group.

In 1999, Nancy retired from the bank and immediately got back to work as a farm hand. She was a farmer at heart and enjoyed 20 years of driving her tractor “Snoopy” and loving harvest time.

Nancy is survived by her husband, Eddie of Hollandale; daughter, Joni (Scott) Groth of Ellendale and their children: Allison (Chad) Muilenburg (Cloe, Oliver), Benjamin Groth (Wyatt, Baylor), and Abraham Groth (Aidyn, Adam); daughter, Judi Ver Hey of Clarks Grove; son, Mark (Joanna) Ver Hey of Hollandale and their children Bennett (Tiffany) Ver Hey (Cameron, Sophia, Toby), Grant (Kristine) Ver Hey (Jack) and Nate (Whitney) Ver Hey (Wesley); daughter Jill (Shannon) Jensen of Clarks Grove and their children Taylor Jensen, Ahnika Jensen and John Jensen. Also surviving sister-in-law Darlene Nielsen, sister Joan (Marion) Mast, brother Doug (Pat) Nielsen, brother Steve (Jinny) Nielsen and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Larry Nielsen, parents-in-law Edward and Anna Ver Hey; brothers/sisters-in-law Lillian (Ray) Thompson, Skin (Delores) Ver Hey, Shirley (Gordy) Stanley, Gus (Mary) Davidson, Orlin (Evelyn) Thomas.

The family will host a funeral service will be held Saturday, March 8, 11:00 am, Community Lutheran Church in Geneva, Minnesota. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service at 10:00 am.