Nancy Koleen Keele

Nancy Koleen Keele returned home to many loved ones in the early morning hours of Monday, March 6, 2023.

Nancy was born on January 21, 1957, to Dixie Lee Madsen in Port Hueneme, California. When Nancy was nine, Dixie married Max Bowler Turner. Although Max was not Nancy's biological father, their bond was that of father and daughter. Nancy grew up in North Salt Lake and Bountiful.

Nancy was a hard worker, doing many different types of work throughout her life. She worked at day care centers when her children were young. Then as a waitress at Village Inn and Dee's in Bountiful. She also spent some time in construction learning about drywall and vinyl fencing. She eventually retired as a licensed medical coder.

Being the oldest out of six children, she always led and taught others through her actions. She loved and cared for each of her siblings deeply, always teasing and egging them on. There have been countless different competitions between them to see who’s college football team will win, Utes or Cougars! Or just the usual “tag I gotch ya” at family gatherings. Nancy would often share stories about how they would grow up together and get into trouble. How she pinched them with her toes, defended them from bullies, and how she helped care for them. She would often taunt her younger siblings by saying, "I'm the oldest, funniest, shortest, cutest, fattest, and smartest. I was there first and took it all!”, not only when she was younger but as they all grew up she continued to say that to them any chance she got. She loved anytime she got to spend with them, even as they got older!

Nancy had four children, whom she further taught and nurtured into admirable people. She thought each of her children were perfect! She was proud of each of them. They gifted Nancy with eight grandchildren whom she loved very dearly. Her grandchildren recall many years of memories including what she would call “summer vacation”, where she would take them to local places like Mrs. Cavanaugh’s factory tours, Kennecott Copper Mine, and fancy ice-cream places. This would span over 5 days and each day would be something new to go see or do. She enjoyed spoiling her grandchildren with treats or little trinkets she would acquire. Her way of gift giving was something very special. She would often offer them a nickel to help do a chore!

Nancy enjoyed many things throughout her life, the greatest joy was spending quality time with family and friends. She loved summer,  Easter BBQs with everyone piled in eating good food, and playing badminton in the front yard. She found joy in the mountains, camping and spending time at her cabin. She also enjoyed reading. She would talk often about traveling. After she retired, she was able to cross off some of her travel list including seeing Mount Rushmore and going to Lake Louise. She dreamed of visiting Alaska, New York, Alcatraz, and many other places.

Educated was an understatement when it came to Nancy. She was an open book full of knowledge about survival in weather conditions, to knowing everything about John F. Kennedy and other presidents. You could ask her anything and she would have the answer, or she would learn something new with you in that moment. She loved to teach her kids and grandkids.

There were so many special things about Nancy including her very unique sayings. There were far too many to count, but the one she would say the most was, “I love you this much, so nothing can get in between.” While pinching her thumb and index finger together as hard as she could, expressing how much she loved you. The one we all know and could never forget is that she absolutely loved her pajamas/nightgowns. Just about any chance she got she would change into them and switch into her slippers, which were just comfy flip flops. Another thing Nancy did was write down quotes on sticky notes, and stick them to her computer desk, or desk at work. The following are two quotes she wrote down: “To me every hour of the day and night is an unspeakably perfect miracle.” -Walt Whitman and “Too many people miss the silver lining because they’re expecting gold.” -Maurice Setter

Nancy is survived by her children David Stark, Aupera (Shaune) Van Huizen, and Patricia (Chris) Packer. Her grandchildren Michelle, Bryan, Raylin, Kaylee, Ryker, Riley, and Brandon. Her siblings Greg Bush, Eulanda Hibler, Jeff Hibler, Jackie (Dennis) Bangeter, and Jody (Shey) Johnson. Many nieces and nephews she loved deeply.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father. Her first husband David Stark. Her son Brian Stark. And her grandson Rayden Van Huizen.

Funeral services and viewings will be held at Russon Mortuary, 295 N. Main Street, Bountiful, Utah. Viewing times are Thursday, March 9, 2023, 6-8 p.m. and Friday, March 10, 2023, 12:45-1:45 p.m. Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m., Friday, March 10, 2023. Interment at Bountiful City Cemetery.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary & Crematory Facebook page and on this obituary page.  The live stream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below.