Nancy Garst

MADISON - Nancy Garst, age 89, passed away on Dec 6. She was born Cynthia Nancy Garst in Jefferson, Iowa on November 30, 1925, the third child of Warren and Eleanor Garst. She married Philip Freedman in 1948 and had two children, Peter and Hannah. Philip died in 1956. Nancy married Ned Garst (her second cousin) in 1960 and had two more children, Andy and Sam. Ned and Nancy lived in Rockford IL, Sarasota, FL, and Madison, WI.

Nancy was an avid reader, a passionate music lover, intensely interested in politics and economics, and a lifelong volunteer. She was devoted to a wide range of friends and extended family.

Nancy is survived by her four children: Peter Garst (Katy Hall), Hannah Davis (Duane Davis), Andrew Garst (Karen Deaton) and Sam Garst (Robin Kohles), and seven grandchildren: Philip Davis, Jared Garst, Rachel Davis, Emma Garst, Olive Garst, Jessie Garst, and Porter Garst. She is also survived by her step-daughter Lynn Chiasson, her step-grandchildren Susan and Michelle, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her two husbands, Philip Freedman and Ned Garst; by her brother Tom Garst; and by her sisters Charlotte Harrison and Mary Garst.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Anne, Kate, and Kirsten from Agrace Hospice, who helped Nancy and the rest of us through the end of her life.

A memorial service followed by a coffee-and-dessert reception will be on Saturday, Dec 13, at 7PM at the Prairie Unitarian Universalist Meeting House, 2010 Whenona Drive, Madison. Online maps of the area are not accurate, due to recent road construction. Please refer to the Society website for directions: http://uuprairie.org/directions/ . In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Doctors without Borders, American Players Theatre or Agrace Hospice.

Cress Funeral Home
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
(608) 238-3434