Nancy Ann Schweifler

Our beloved Nancy Ann was born in South Bend Indiana in 1938 to Cecelia Josephine and Edward B Rogers. Nancy has two brothers Edward and David Rogers. Nancy loved her brothers and she wrote in her journal how she doted on both her brothers growing up. When Nancy was 16 her youngest brother David was born. Nancy was like a second mother to David and was instrumental in caring for him leading up to kindergarten and beyond. Nancy's parents both spoke Polish and Nancy fondly remembered her mother saying her dad spoke “good” Polish. Nancy liked to play with the neighborhood kids, they would skate, play street tennis and go to the store for ice cream. Growing up Nancy and her family would go to the “Lyric” a neighborhood show, usually a double feature. Nancy’s family would take day trips to the zoo, roller rinks, and picnics at Potawatomi Park. Nancy was very athletic and good at sports. However, at the time there were no opportunities for women in sports.

Nancy married Raymond Joyce and on December 27th 1962 their daughter Janet was born. They lived in Illinois until Nancy and Raymond divorced. Nancy married George Elvis Large in 1969. They lived together in Mendon Michigan. Nancy and George raised their children together and enjoyed many wonderful years. Nancy enjoyed hosting fish fries and gatherings in the party barn. Nancy and George often went for pontoon rides together and loved to travel. They visited many states together and also visited Mexico many times. They enjoyed visits with their kids and grandchildren often at the lake. Nancy and George spent many years together until George passed away in 2009.

In 2013 Nancy reconnected with a friend from the red cross Edward Schweifler. Nancy and Edward fell in love and got married in 2021. Nancy spent her last years married to Edward enjoying life at the lake and spending time with family. They enjoyed playing cribbage every night. Nancy and Edward traveled to Maine, Florida, Kentucky, Petosky , and went on a cruise to the Bahamas. They liked to volunteer at the hospital auxiliary in Three Rivers and bonded over their love of flowers.

Nancy had a Daughter Janet with Raymond. She also had six step children with George: Terrence, Tara, Garth, Kerwin, Nevin and Lonnie. Janet remembers how Nancy was a wonderful parent and role model. Nancy always encouraged Janet to be the best person she could be. Her love for nature, the arts, traveling to Chicago and throughout the United States was an adventure. Janet feels forever blessed for all the memories they shared together. Nancy loved theater, museums and everything beautiful. Janet shares that she is forever blessed to call Nancy her mother.

Nancy loved being a mom and was thrilled when she became a grandmother. Her grandchildren are Julie and Vicki Van Patten. She was Gigi to Theodore and Claire Reichert. Many others knew her as Aunt Nancy and Grandma.

Nancy loved animals and had many beloved pets throughout her life. Everyone knew that Nancy spoiled her pets and loved them dearly. She had a soft spot for strays and some of her pets were taken in from outside. Her last dog Duke was a stray and one of the friendliest dogs she had ever met. Edward and Nancy had two wonderful dogs together, Duke and Sparky. She often talked and reminisced about her animals, she had so many fond memories of taking them for walks that turned into adventures.

Nancy went to school and became a registered nurse. She worked at Memorial Hospital, Chicago Wesley Memorial, Saint Francis Hospital, Evanston Hospital, Three Rivers Hospital, Mary Anderson MD, and then later worked for the American Red Cross. When working in Leonidas for Dr. Mary Anderson, everyone knew her as nurse Nancy. She was a kind soul who enjoyed helping others.

Nancy loved gardening and working in her flower beds. She enjoyed having a drink before dinner and sitting in her sunroom when the weather was warm. She loved to draw, paint, journal and read. She was an amazing cook and her daughter Janet and granddaughters Julie and Vicki enjoyed many dinners and sleepovers at her house. She loved to sparkle up as she called it which included getting her hair done and doing her makeup. Julie and Vicki have many wonderful memories with Nancy getting them dressed up and doing their hair when they were younger. They loved all the beautiful scarfs Nancy would let them play with during dress up. Nancy enjoyed many family get-togethers including Halloween celebrations at Scott and Dana’s, Christmas celebrations at Ed and Pat’s, Christmas celebrations, and Easter celebrations at her house in Mendon. She loved to go to Chicago to see plays and have girl’s trips. She loved cooking and baking. Every year she would make Edward a peach pie for his birthday. Nancy will be remembered for her kind spirit. She was always willing to help others and was a great listener. She could make people laugh and smile so easily.

Nancy was preceded in death by Cecelia and Edward B Rogers, and George Elvis Large. Nancy is survived by Edward and Josh Schweifler, Edward and Pat Rogers, David and Carol Rogers, Janet, Julie and Vicki Van Patten, Chris, Theodore and Claire Reichert, and Turner Brantley. She was also an Aunt and Grandma to so many more.

While visiting Nancy’s webpage at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please sign the guestbook and/or share a memory with the family.

The family is being assisted by the Avink Funeral Home & Cremation Society, 129 S. Grand St. in Schoolcraft. 269 679-5622