Nancy Ann Schertz

Nancy Ann (Atkinson) Schertz, 85, of Winona, KS, passed away on October 27, 2024. Nancy was born in Topeka, Kansas to Lyle and Alma (Hill) Atkinson.

Nancy began school in Topeka but went to live near Burlingame with her grandmother, Grace Ann Hill, while her dad served in World War II. Nancy graduated from Topeka High School, then attended Washburn University earning a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics Education. She was the president of the ZTA sorority while she attended university. She worked at the Topeka bus station in high school and college, where her dad was the cook and owner. Upon selling the bus station restaurant, her parents moved to Page City, KS to manage the Coop. While finishing her education at Washburn she would come out to visit her parents. Her mother, Alma Atkinson, and Tom’s mother, Florence Schertz played match maker with having Nancy come to the farm for some produce. Nancy and Tom hit it off and Nancy seemed to like Tom’s fast vehicles and zest for life.

Nancy began teaching Home Economics at Triplains High School before they were married. She continued to teach until Julie was born. On December 21, 1963, Nancy was united in marriage with Tom Schertz. The couple recently celebrated 60 years of marriage with family and friends by their side. Nancy grieved the loss of her lifelong love, when he passed away just 5 months prior to her passing. From this union were born three daughters: Julie Sue (Kurt) Maurath of Oakley, Cindy Ann (Kent) Gfeller of Winona, and at the age of almost 45 she began her second motherhood when Kandy Dea (Andy) Kwapnioski of Marysville was born. Nancy loved her family and served them with everything in her. When Julie and Cindy were in grade school, she made sugar cookies for every holiday and took them to their classrooms. She never missed a school event and especially loved cheering on the Triplains Vikings and that continued with her grandchildren. Nancy served on the Triplains school board for numerous years and also on the NWKS Educational Service Center board. She never wanted to be in the spotlight, but was always serving others. Thanksgiving was an annual event at her home with all of Tom’s large family. There were as many as 70+ people and thanks to potluck no one ever went away hungry and she made sure there was always punch, tea and water to drink. The grandkids would love the breakfasts she would make for them. It was never just a bowl of cereal, but bacon, sausage, biscuits or pancakes and whatever else they desired. 

Tom and Nancy came to a faith together and were even baptized at the Scott City Church of Christ at the same time, because Oakley did not yet have a building. Nancy and Tom were involved in the Church of Christ’s Joy Bus program. Each Wednesday they would load kids from Winona to Monument for a fun time of worshipping before taking them back home. Sometimes it was in their station wagon or the old blue school bus. She was a Bible class teacher on both Sundays and Wednesdays. Even in the last days, Nancy would sing along to the old hymns and it provided her with great comfort. Nancy used her home economics education to serve at the 4-H cooking and foods leader. She would buy her grandchildren’s foods at the Logan County Foods auction each year and set the limit!

Nancy had many roles on the farm operated by her and Tom. She could drive every implement on the farm including the semis, but choose to just ride alongside Tom in the sprayer to keep him company or awake. She was the best hand anyone could ask for. She worked hard and was proud of what they built together. She should have been an accountant, as Tom never wrote checks for the bills. Nancy was the farm and family bookkeeper. Nancy could also put a meal on the table like it was the 100-yard dash, faster than anyone could imagine. It was not a casserole, but did include a generous helping of beef. 

One of Tom’s nephews said, “If you saw Tom, you saw Nancy.” They did everything together, including getting their pilot’s license. Nancy never flew the plane after receiving it but was content that she new how to get the plane on the ground if something should happen to Tom. She would attend every farm show with Tom and be patient as he would talk for hours with the salesmen. She loved the color red and had a never quit mentality. She never went anywhere slow and should have been a race car driver.

However, she loved to fish. Tom did not. She would love to take her family to the tailwater pit to fish. Her face would light up anytime she caught a fish whether with a guide, on the lake or at the tailwater pit. The thing was she loved to fish but didn’t care to eat fish!

Nancy is survived by her three daughters and sons-in-law; sister, Lila Greene of Oakley; sister-in-law, Joyce Atkinson; nine grandchildren: Adam (Jannessa) Maurath of Moore, Oklahoma; Leigh Ann (Abraham) Pfannenstiel of Oakley; Michael (Katherine;) Maurath of Manhattan; Amberly (Jeff) Hennick of Oakley; Brett (Jill) Gfeller of Winona; Ryan (Cassidy) Gfeller of Garden City; and Wylde, Cash, and Ruby Kwapnioski of Marysville; and seven great-grandchildren: Dawsyn, Sawyer, Hollynd and Banner Hennick and Bennelli, Walker and Carli Gfeller. 

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, mother and father-in-law and her brother David Atkinson and brother-in-law Edward Greene.

Visitation will be held from 5-7:00 p.m. on Friday, November 1, 2024, at Baalmann Mortuary in Oakley. A Celebration of Life Services will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, November 2, 2024, at the Church of Christ in Oakley. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to NWKS Hospice or Church of Christ, Oakley and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit baalmannmortuary.com