Nancy was born April 5, 1941, in Moorhead, Minnesota. She was the eldest child of Rev. Oscar and Mrs. Jane Buchmueller. The family lived in Barnesville, Minnesota, until Nancy’s senior year of high school when they moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota. Nancy stayed behind and finished her schooling in Barnesville.

Upon graduation, Nancy completed her nurse's training in Marshalltown, IA. During her training, she fell in love with Karl E. Swessinger. On October 13, 1962, in Minneapolis, MN, they got married in a ceremony officiated by Nancy’s father and three uncles.

They returned to Marshalltown, where Nancy began working at the local hospital. She excelled in critical care nursing, working in the Emergency Room, Surgery, Intensive Care and Recovery. She spent more than four decades working at the hospital, seeing several hospital names and administrators come and go. She was known for her compassion and professionalism as a nurse. After her retirement she continued to serve as a member of the hospital auxiliary.

Karl and Nancy had three children: Mark (1963), David (1968) and Jane (1975).

Church was a vital part of Karl and Nancy’s lives. They were charter members of Hope United Methodist Church. Nancy served on several committees, and was a member of both the choir and chime choir.

Nancy had a number of hobbies: collecting art glass, needlework, quilting, baking and playing bridge. She adored her family and reveled in having them with her. Her grandchildren were especially dear to her. It was her last great joy to meet her great-grandson Jared Boeckman at her granddaughter’s wedding.

While sedated for pain in her last week, you could tell she was excited to have most of her family and close friends visit or call her to say goodbye.

Nancy is survived by her children: Mark Swessinger (Tamara Baugh), David Swessinger (Thanh), Jane Stadt (Raymond), grandchildren: Courtney Swessinger, Thomas Swessinger, Andrew Swessinger, Emily Boeckman (Noah), Jacob Swessinger, great grandchild Jared Boeckman, sister Ruth Menken (Jerry), sister Helen Lockhart (Tom), brother-in-law Tom Swessinger, sister-in-law Laura Jo Swessinger, grand-dogs Aria Swessinger and Oliver Stadt.

Visitation will be held at Hope United Methodist Church in Marshalltown from 11 am -1 pm on April 20, 2024, with the funeral at 1 pm. Interment will immediately follow at Riverside Cemetery.

Memorials are to be directed to Hope United Methodist Church.