Nancy Croce

Nancy Lee Croce, age 85, of Mankato, died on September 11, 2024, of natural causes, at Benedictine Living Community of St. Peter with her daughter Nancy Lyn by her side.

She was born on November 13, 1938, to Galt and Elizabeth Bowen, in Washington, D.C. Nancy attended the University of Maryland and graduated with a degree in Secondary Education. She was proud to be a sorority member of Tri Delta.

She married Lewis “Mickey” Croce in 1958 and they had five children. In 1968 the family moved to Mankato because “Mickey” was hired to be a professor in the History Department at Mankato State University. They made a wonderful life in Mankato. In 1981, they were divorced, but remained good friends.

Nancy was involved in many groups and activities when she first moved to Mankato. She was a homemaker, and she was fortunate to volunteer on many boards and committees. She was president of Faculty Wives, a member of Zonta International, and Nancy was a member of Cereal Chapter #2 of the Order of the Eastern Star where she was past Matron, and past Grand Organist. She did decide to go to work, and she started with a position at the University Bookstore as the textbook manager for 17 years. After that, she worked at Hiniker Company as a receptionist for 15 years.

If you look up Music in the dictionary, the name Nancy Lee Croce would be right there. She was so proud of her involvement in the Community with music. She volunteered with the Youth Symphony; she helped with MAESAL (music for students in school), and was a Mankato Symphony Board member. She gave many young students piano lessons in her home.

Nancy and her family joined Christ the King Lutheran Church when they moved to Mankato. Nancy was in the choir for many years. One of her proudest accomplishments was playing the piano at Christ the King Lutheran Church for the young Sunday school students. She did that for 30 plus years. Nancy also enjoyed the theatre and the symphony. For many seasons she held season tickets to the MSU theatre performances and the Mankato Symphony Orchestra.

Nancy never planned to live above the Mason/Dixon line, but when she moved to Mankato, she soon discovered that she and her family grew to love Mankato. She said, many times, “I have made many friends here, and I have had a great opportunity to be involved in so much.” We will all miss her smile and her piano playing.

The family wants to thank everyone at Benedictine Living Community of St. Peter for taking great care of Nancy. She loved living there, playing the piano, and she really enjoyed the food.

She is survived by her five children, James (Rick) Croce, Robert L. Croce (Carla Gesell), Nancy Lyn Goettl, Linda L. Breuer (Doug Hilden), and Edward Croce (Peggy). Her grandchildren, Alex Croce, Elliane Croce, Juliette Croce, Nancy Jo Goettl, Galt Goettl, Brandon Brueur (Kaley), Austin Brueur, and Nate (Sarah) Croce, Bryan Croce, and Matthew Croce. Her great grandchildren, Amelia and Emmett Croce. Also her sister-in-law, Doris Bowen and her nieces, Nancy Ruth Bowen and Jean (John) Gallimore, and a great nephew (David Gallimore) and great niece Elizabeth Armijo (Scott) who all reside in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Galt S. Bowen, and ex-husband, Lewis H. Croce.

A funeral service will be held at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 222 Pfau St., Mankato, on Friday, December 13, 2024. (Friday the 13th was Nancy’s favorite day).There will be a visitation at 10:00am prior to the service at 11:00am. A luncheon will follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Christ the King Lutheran Church or the donor's choice.

Woodland Hills Funeral Home is helping with arrangements.