Nancie M. Steinhauer

MADISON- Nancie Martha Steinhauer, age 80, of Madison, died peacefully on Thursday December 16, 2010 at home, surrounded by her family.   Nancie was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on November 28, 1930, the daughter of Laverne and Wilbur Baumann.   She graduated from Wauwatosa High School and attended Wartburg College in Iowa, where she met her husband, Frederick C. ""Fritz"" Steinhauer.   Fritz, having never met Nancie, saw her walking on campus, and said ""that's the girl I'm going to marry someday"". That began a love affair that lasted over 60 years.   On August 25, 1951, Nancie and Fritz were united in marriage and they shared 59 wonderful years together.   Together they brought four sons and a baby daughter into the world, Chuck (Denise), Gary (Terri), Tom (Ellen), Randy (Mary), and Sherri of Madison, WI.   Nancie devoted her life to raising her children and caring for her family.   She was a loving wife, mother and Nana who created a home full of tradition, gracious hospitality, warm affection and fun.   She had a way of making each family member feel special and loved.   She was a Cub Scout Leader, United Way Block Captain, West Madison Little League concessions manager, Nakoma Junior Golf Chairman, and volunteered for numerous organizations, including the Tea Room at Oakwood and the gift shop at Madison General (now Meriter).   Nancie's German heritage and Christian faith guided her life.   She was a member of Saint John's Lutheran Church in Madison for 59 years.   Nancie loved to cook, golf, bowl, needlepoint and visit with her friends and family.   She loved to dance and listen to Elvis.    Her happiest times were when the family gathered together for a visit or shared a meal.   She made the holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas special and memorable for her entire family.   She loved to watch her children and grandchildren play in sporting events and she would boast about watching her boys play in 28 baseball games in one week.   She especially loved watching Sherri play golf throughout her career.   Nancie and Fritz shared many sunny and happy winters together in Palm Springs, California. Nancie lived her life with an optimistic and grateful outlook.   Even in her later years when her vision became impaired, or in the past month as she was losing her battle with cancer, she never complained, but instead was more concerned for the wellbeing of her family.   She lived with grace and dignity to the end of her days. We treasured our times shared together and we know that she has been welcomed into Heaven and will continue to watch over her loved ones as she always has. Nancie is survived by her husband Fritz Steinhauer of Madison, WI, her four sons and daughter; her brothers Alan (Barbara) Baumann and Bill (Lois) Baumann of Milwaukee; her grandchildren Alan (Kirsten) Steinhauer, Katherine (Michael) Kirtman, Madeline (Ben) Zwank, Nancy (Chris) Platta, Randy (Arya) Steinhauer, Andrew, Brian, Patti, Amanda and Meredithe Steinhauer; her greatgrandchildren Maxwelton Steinhauer, Oliver Kirtman and Joey Zwank; her brother-in-law John (Cathy) Steinhauer, sister-in-laws Shirley Sunquist, Mary (Stan) Christianson, Jeannette Erickson and many nieces and nephews.   She was preceeded in death by her parents, brother-in-laws Woody Steinhauer and Eugene Erickson, and a sister-in-law Betty Steinhauer.     We would like to thank Hospice for their help through these trying times.   A visitation for Nancie will be held Sunday December 19 at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road from 5 to 7 PM. Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, December 20, 2010 at ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 322 East Washington Ave, Madison, Wisconsin. Pastor Ken Smith will officiate. There will be a private family burial. Memorials may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church.   Cress Funeral Home is handling arrangements for the family. We love you Mom! We love you Nana!