Nancy Ann Schulte, 81, of Burlington, Iowa died Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, at her home.
Born Aug. 28, 1942 in Burlington, she was the daughter of Eugene Hart Nugent and Mildred Bell Gerlach Nugent.
After attending grade school in Wapello, and Washington, Iowa, the family moved to San Diego, Calif., where Nancy attended high school. Upon returning to Iowa, she finished high school at Regina High School in Iowa City. After receiving her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Iowa, she taught Spanish at Regina High School.
In 1963, she married James Bryan Schulte in Iowa City. They later divorced but remained close friends (as they were parents and grandparents) to wonderful children and grandchildren.
After moving to Burlington, she taught briefly at James Madison Jr. High. Beginning in 1968 she was a Spanish instructor at Southeastern Community College for 32 years. In the early 80s, at the suggestion of her good friend, Nancy invited Jim "Coach" Wyatt to the Blinding Boogie Bash. This turned out to be one of her greatest decisions as it led to a life partnership that lasted over 30 years. In April of 2018 they decided to make it official with an intimate wedding ceremony, surrounded by friends and family.
She was a member of Zion United Church of Christ. Philanthropy was very important to Nancy. She was always helping people. She volunteered as a domestic abuse victims advocate and was active in the local chapter of Citizens for Peace. As a member of the Des Moines County Democrats, she was instrumental in getting Tom Harkin elected in addition to working on numerous losing presidential campaigns. Thankfully her losing streak was broken when she was the county chair for Barack Obama in 2008.
In addition to her husband, "Coach", her family includes sons, Michael (Rebecca), Christopher (Angela), Matthew (Stacy); daughter-in-law, Dawn Schulte, former husband, Bryan (Jane); sister, Mary (Kevin); brother, Tom; grandchildren, Chris and Elizabeth, Rachel (Jake) and Sam Schulte, Gracie Neal, Keegan Finch; stepdaughter, Linda (Steve) Wilson; and many wonderful nieces, nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, and brother, Mike.
Her body has been donated to the University of Iowa College of Medicine.
Visitation with the family to receive friends will be 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023 at Prugh Funeral Service, 3940 Division Street.
The Memorial Service for Nancy will be 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023, at Prugh Funeral Service, 3940 Division Street with Jerry Rigdon officiating. Following the service, a time of food and fellowship will be held in the community room at Prugh Funeral Service.
Memorials have been established for an SCC Scholarship and Zion UCC Social Justice.