Nancy Ann Stoner of Laurens, Iowa passed away December 1st, 2023 at the age of 94. She was born Nancy Ann Edmundson November 22nd,1929. She was the only child of George Elmer Edmundson and Maude Mercedes Workman. Although she was an only child, she was also loved and nurtured by grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins who gave her plenty of growing experiences and who loved her dearly.

She graduated from the Laurens High School in 1947. On July 2nd, 1947 she married Richard Dean (Dick) Stoner at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Laurens, where they were parishioners. She was the mother of five children, Linda Ann, Rebecca Jane, Debra Jean, Patricia Lyn and Donn Richard.

Through the years in addition to being a Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother and Great-Great-Grandmother, she owned and operated Nancy's Gifts in 1968 at her home in Laurens, and also worked with her husband in the catering business they began together which was called Dina Catering. She also worked at the Laurens Greenhouse arranging flowers for some years. As a youth she worked as an attendant at the Laurens Theater.

Nancy's other interests included Garden Club where she won several ribbons for her flower arrangements. She also had an interest in antiques and was also a member of the Quester's Club. She enjoyed decorating her home especially at Christmastime, and for a few years she invited the community into her home for an Open House to enjoy and share the "Christmas Spirit", with her little Dickens villages and Nativities all lit up and using all her talents in making the feelings of Christmas come together just right for everyone, young and old.

Her home was a place of learning and laughter and love with much singing and expectations for her children to build their character and to pursue their talents to share with others, which each one did due to her wonderful encouragement, which may never have happened otherwise, as she was influential in this pursuit early on along with the help of her husband. Often times, you would hear her say that Dick was "the calm" and she was "the storm", as her personality was one that made you behave and show respect to others. Her children always knew that they were loved in spite of her trait of being very strict at times, and she exhibited warmth and compassion and caring to her children as well as others in the community.  Nancy was very patriotic and flew the flag in front of her house every day and the Veterans of Foreign Wars honored her with the Patriotic Citizens Award for doing so.

As she aged, some chronic health conditions limited her in many ways. She loved to read and spent many long hours reading magazines and library books, especially about antiques and history, inspirational books, and stories of intrigue and romance. She loved music and it brought her much comfort, especially in hearing her children sing.

She will be missed by her children for her honest personality and her thoughtful guidance in everyday issues with her straight forward opinions and her warmth in seeing to their needs as well as the needs of others. She truly loved her family and they brought her much joy. Her faith in God sustained her throughout her whole life, and she was a blessing to all who knew and loved her.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her beloved husband Dick in 1996, and her grandson, Shane Richard Smith. Left to mourn are her children Linda (Robert) Drobinski, Becky (Tom) Thies, Debra Holmes, Pat (Bruce) Carlson, and Donn (Mary) Stoner, 11 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and, 6 great-great-grandchildren, and dear friends, relatives and neighbors. Burial will be in the Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Laurens.

Memorials can be made in Nancy's name to the Laurens Care Center Blanket Warmer Fund, 304 E Veterans Rd, Laurens, IA 50554. Their phone number: (712) 845-4595