Nancy Anne Keeney

Stoughton- Nancy Anne Keeney, 77, died at the UW Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, on April 26,2024 from sudden, catastrophic complications connected to a surgical procedure. 

Nancy was born to Bill and Jane Beyer on December 28, 1946, in Racine, Wisconsin. She lived for over forty years in Stoughton, Wisconsin, later moving with her husband to Madison’s far west side to be near their grandchildren.

Nancy graduated in 1964 from Park High School in Racine. In 1969 she finished her studies at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, earning a degree in Elementary Education. Nancy taught 5^th grade at Kegonsa School in Stoughton for five years, then took time off to start her family. She resumed her work life after receiving training as a legal transcriptionist. She worked in Madison as a legal assistant for the Axley Brynelson law firm for many years, then moved to Von Briesen & Roper to finish her career. Nancy was noted for having a firm yet compassionate approach to solving problems.

Nancy was an active volunteer, both in Stoughton and in Madison.  During her time in Stoughton she served as a member and then president of the Stoughton Hospital Board, as president of the Stoughton Library Board and as an active member of the Friends of the Stoughton Library and the Stoughton Historical Society.   Since moving to Madison Nancy has been active with the Fitchburg Senior Center and the Fitchburg Library, participating in a variety of book discussions and travel opportunities.   She was an active member of her church, Unity of Madison.  

At home, Nancy loved to watch TV (especially reruns of black and white adventure and horror movies as well as more modern films of danger, adventure, and historical significance). She used her TV time to skillfully create needlework projects, including cross stich, Hardanger embroidery, crochet, and knitting. Outside the home she was an enthusiastic photographer, focusing both on people and landscapes.  She especially loved to photograph the scenic vistas of the Southwest.  

Nancy described her relationship to Jim, her husband of almost fifty-four years, as an “exercise in compromise.”  

She is survived by her husband, Jim; her two children, Nathan (Christine Fenner) and Anne (Matthew Strandt); two grandchildren, Henry and Lucy Strandt; her sister, Susan (Charles) Baker; and her brother, Mark (Mary) Beyer.

A celebration of Nancy’s life will be held with a gathering from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at Cress Funeral Home, 206 W. Prospect Street, Stoughton.

In lieu of flowers interested friends should donate to her church, Unity of Madison, 601 Tompkins Dr, Madison; to the Stoughton Public Library; to Stoughton Hospital; or to the Stoughton Historical Society. 

One of Nancy’s friends since her earliest days in Stoughton has summed up Nancy’s character in the following way: “Nancy had a unique combination of grace, class, humor, intelligence, and style.” These words are true.

Her husband and her children, however, often referred to Nancy as the Mistress of Chaos. If she entered a quiet room, noise, activity, and laughter followed. She admitted cheerfully that if a sign warned of “wet paint,” she would be compelled to touch the paint. Her grandchildren (whom she dearly loved) encouraged her. To them it was simply the way things ought to be.  The world should be traveled. Rooms should be rearranged. . .often. Pets should be played with. Grandchildren should be taken shopping for amazing new things to do. The world should never be allowed to stay the same.

The world will not be the same without her.

Please share your memories of Nancy by posting in her Guestbook.

Cress Funeral Services

206 W. Prospect Street, PO Box 231, Stoughton

(608) 873-9244