Nancy Katherine Ford, age 84, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, April 20, 2026 at her home in Sturgeon Bay.
She was born on April 3, 1942, in Sturgeon Bay, the daughter of the late Wallace Sr. and Mildred (Duwe) Tess. On June 20, 1964 Nancy married the love of her life, Paul Ford, at the Moravian Church in Sturgeon Bay.
Nancy became a devoted U.S. Coast Guard wife, and embraced a life of adventure and change. Paul's career took them across the country - from Cheboygan, MI, to Oklahoma City, OK; from Homer and Juneau, AK to Governors Island, NY, back to Oklahoma City, OK - before they ultimately returned home to Sturgeon Bay in 1978, where Paul retired and they settled for good. Nancy cherished these years and loved sharing stories of the many places and memories they made along the way.
Nancy began her career at Prange's and Schroeder Insurance in Sturgeon Bay before dedicating herself fully to raising her family as a homemaker. Later, she worked at the Chiefs Club in New York and upon returning to Sturgeon Bay at Home-A-Rama, Hatco and eventually Northshore Bank where she retired. She was deeply involved in her community, proudly serving with the Amvet Auxiliary and supporting the Wounded Warrior Project.
Nancy also gave her time working long hours at the voting polls and was an active member of Business Women's. In her free time she found joy in reading, camping, sitting around campfires with family and traveling - especially her cherished trips to Erie, Pennsylvania to visit loved ones. She also took great pride in her collections of bells and Hummels. Above all, Nancy's greatest love was her family. Her grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren (plus 1 on the way) - who lovingly called her "GG" - were truly the light of her life. She treasured every moment spent with them.
Nancy is survived by her four children, Paul Jr. "Duke" (Margi) Ford, New Franken, Nancy (Jim) McDonald, Sturgeon Bay, Samantha Ford, Sturgeon Bay, Bryan (Lisa) Ford, Brussels. She is further survived by her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Jake (Holly VanPrice) Ford (Bailey), Alexandra & Lucas Kaczmarzyk (Calvin & Grace), Steven Ford, Matthew Malvitz (Logan & Layla), Olivia & Kale Jauquet (Lily), Emma McDonald, Kyle & Amy Volkmann (Hadley & Jack), Kambria (Hunter Werth) Volkmann (Arthur), Trystan Ford and Samuel Ford. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Judy Tess of Sturgeon Bay, sister-in-law Mary Ford of Pennsylvania, and her "favorite child from another mother," Carl "Bubby" (Heidi) Jonas, along with many nieces and nephews. Nancy was proceeded in death by her husband and parents; her mother and father-in-law Samuel & Irene (Strohmeyer) Ford; her brothers Steven Tess & Wallace "Butch" Tess; her sisters-in-law Virginia Boucher and Patricia Santini, her brothers-in-law, Harrison Ford, Richard Ford, Robert Ford and Charles Ford.
Nancy will be remembered for her warmth, her stories, her unwavering love for her family and the joy she brought to those around her. Her legacy lives on in the many lives she touched.
Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 27, 2026 at Huehns Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay. Visitation will be Sunday, April 26, 2026 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Huehns Funeral Home and continue Monday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.
Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Nancy may be shared with her family through her tribute page at www.HuehnsFuneralHome.com.
