Nancy Alice Coles, age 91, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully in the presence of her family on March 4th, at Harbor Crossing in White Bear Lake, Minnesota.
Nancy was born on July 20, 1933, in Blencoe, Iowa, to Thomas and Bessie (Anderson) McCrill. She grew up in Sheldon, Iowa, where she attended school and met the love of her life, Don Coles. They were married on June 30, 1953, in Sheldon and began their life together in Alaska, where Don was stationed in the Army. Eventually, they made their home in Minnesota, where they raised their three children—Donna, Mary, and Tom.
Nancy was devoted to her family, balancing work at home with various jobs outside of the home. She worked at the Congregational Church preschool and The Village Shop in Hutchinson, and the First Daisy gift shop in downtown St. Paul. In retirement, Nancy and Don enjoyed spending winters as “snowbirds” in Mesa, Arizona, and summers at their family cabin in Wisconsin, where she cherished time with family.
Recently, Nancy found joy in life’s simple pleasures—coffee and conversation, keeping her family updated on the weather, sitting on her balcony, welcoming visitors, and cheering on the Minnesota Vikings and Twins. She was deeply loved and will be dearly missed. Her family takes comfort in knowing she is now reunited with Don and those who went before her.
She is survived by:
Children: Donna and Marvin Seller, Mary and Peter Bruss, Thomas and Natalie Coles. Grandchildren and Great-grandchildren: Greg Bruss and Amy Helmueller – Colten Ogg and Annabelle Bruss; Kelly and Chris Little – Croix, Otto, and Rylan Little; Alex and Patti Coles – Brooks and William Coles; Kate and Charlie Maahs – Jett and Parker Maahs; Emily and Nathaniel Cook – Soren and Maren Cook. Brother and sister-in-law: Thomas and LaVonne McCrill and sister-in-law Elaine Coles.
Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, brother Dennis McCrill, and husband, Don, in 2018.
A private family burial was held at Fort Snelling on Thursday, March 20, 2025.
