Nancy Elaine Squiers

Nancy Elaine Squiers beloved mother and grandparent, passed away peacefully Oct. 27 while surrounded by her loving daughters at Homestead Assisted Living in La Vista, NE. She was 88. Nancy was born Sept. 22, 1936 in Auburn, NE to Willa and Herbert Kidwell. She grew up in Omaha, NE where she attended Minne Lusa Elementary School and received a GED from Omaha North High School. She married her beloved husband, John, April 24, 1958 and settled with him first in South Omaha and later in Papillion. Nothing was more important to Nancy than church, family, and helping others. She served in several roles with St. Bridget’s Catholic Church, aiding numerous fundraising activities and providing periodic hot lunches to the grade school. She helped start the Junior Catholic Daughters of America at St. Bridget’s and also served as the Council Chairman for Junior Catholic Daughters for several years. “[Nancy] is a power pack of energy, constantly looking for ways to make something better,” a former coworker said. They also described her as “talking a mile-a-minute” and “always on the move.” Nancy found a variety of ways to help provide for her family. Through much of her life she sold Avon products, Mary Kay cosmetics, and Beeline clothing. She also learned how to make and sell cakes. During the Christmas season, people knew her as the “cookie lady” of South Omaha, as boxes of several cookie and fudge varieties would crowd her enclosed porch. She gave these desserts as gifts to her friends, the garbagemen and postman included. Her skills in the kitchen even caught the attention of the South Omaha Sun newspaper, which featured several of her recipes such as football stew, brownies, and sloppy joes. While in Papillion, she worked for the Sarpy County Courthouse Treasurer and DMV department, became a Eucharistic Minister at St. Columbkille, volunteered at Midlands Hospital and also spent two years as the Candy Striper Coordinator. She loved singing and became a member of Sweet Adelines Barbershop Chorus, where she met many life-long friends. One of Nancy’s favorite activities was traveling. She spent many years taking her children to state parks, visiting relatives, and traveling to Colorado (a family favorite). During retirement, Nancy and John traveled as much as they could and worked for Allied Tour and Transport for several years. Nancy got such joy from the small things in life; such as looking at the colors in a leaf, watching a bird fly, watching the squirrels run up a tree, a sparkle in a rock, or just the beauty of a flower. Nancy is survived by her four daughters and son-in-law; Charissa and Tony Niedzwiecki, Onalaska, WI; Cynthia Black, Papillion, NE; Susan Squiers, Omaha, NE; Stephanie Squiers, Papillion, NE; her two granddaughters; Kylie Squiers, Papillion, NE; Katelyn Squiers, Papillion, NE; and many great friends. She was preceded in death by her husband John, parents Willa and Herbert Kidwell, and sister Mary Hasselberger. The family wishes to thank all those from Suncrest Hospice who provided exceptional care to Nancy over the past 11 months.