Nancy Ann Zwickey

Nancy Ann Zwickey, 84, passed away peacefully on November 10, 2025 at her home in Lake Crystal, MN. Born on December 24, 1940, in Bloomington, MN, Nancy was dedicated and generous wife, mother, and grandmother. However, Nancy’s favorite role was that of teacher. She taught physical education and health, then biology at Lake Crystal High School from 1969 to 1999. She was a creative teacher, taking students to the local marshes to identify bird calls, using marshmallows and pipe-cleaners to model DNA, and hosting formal dinners so students could learn which fork to use for which dinner course. She held her students to a very high standard and students both respected and loved her. She was a skilled coach, first in volleyball and gymnastics, and then in science fair. Lake Crystal students competed at national and international science fairs – something unusual from a small, rural school in Southern Minnesota. She also served as the chief negotiator for the Minnesota Teachers Union. Nancy was equally active after she retired. She served as a guardian ad ledum, served on the hospital board, and was an active volunteer at ECHO Food Shelf.

Nancy is survived by her second husband, William Steil, 84, of Mankato, MN. Her first husband, F. James Zwickey, passed away in 2000. Nancy is also survived by her daughter, Heather Zwickey (husband Brian Lund) of Rainier, Oregon, and son Derek Zwickey (wife Tracey) of Bozeman, Montana, and their two sons, Evan (Mankato, MN) and Ethan (Seattle, WA). She is also survived by her two sisters, Janet Peter and Susan Johnson (husband Stephen.)

A celebration of Nancy’s life will be Saturday, January 17, 2026 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Minnesota State University Mankato, Centennial Student Union Ballroom. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to ECHO Food Shelf, a charity that was dear to Nancy’s heart. Woodland Hills Funeral Home of Mankato assisting the family with arrangements. www.woodlandhillsfh.com