Nancy Russell Washburn

MOUNT HOREB-Nancy Russell Washburn, age 92, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023. Nancy resided in Mount Horeb since 2003 and had lived in Madison from 1956 until 1984 when her husband, Ralph Frederick Washburn, passed away.

Nancy Fremd Russell was born on Nov. 2, 1930, in McKeesport, Pa., a suburb of Pittsburgh. She was the daughter of Louise (Netzle) and David B. Russell. Nancy graduated from McKeesport High School in 1948 and attended Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio, where she met Ralph. She majored in elementary education, graduating in 1952 and began her teaching career in Cincinnati, Ohio. Nancy and Ralph married on Oct. 10, 1953, and relocated to San Francisco, Calif., where Ralph worked as a physical therapist at Letterman Army Hospital. She continued to teach until her daughter, Lisa, was born in 1955. The family moved to Madison in 1956 where sons, Christopher and Scott, were born in 1960 and 1961.  Nancy continued teaching nursery and elementary school and the family were active members of Lake Edge United Church of Christ in Madison. She learned braille translation and belonged to several bridge clubs.

After her husband’s death in 1984, Nancy left Madison and moved to Santa Fe, N.M., where she lived until 2003, with the exception of a brief period (1988 - 1992) when she lived in Lexington, Ky., and worked for her cousin. In Santa Fe, Nancy worked at a gift shop and later in an architectural firm. She took courses in astronomy and volunteered at the Santa Fe Children’s Museum and as a docent at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture. Nancy was an enthusiastic tour guide of the area when friends and family came to visit.

Nancy enjoyed traveling, especially by train. She visited all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii, visited Russia and made several trips to Europe. Nancy was also interested in sports, including basketball, baseball, golf and figure skating.  However, her lifelong passion was reading, especially modern history. Before the pandemic, Nancy was a dedicated member of the PLATO organization of Madison (“where love of learning never gets old”). She also served for many years on the board of the Friends of the Mount Horeb Public Library. Many will remember her behind the counter of the Prairie Bookshop in Mount Horeb, where Nancy worked from 2005 until the bookstore closed in 2014.  She never lost her love of teaching, volunteering to coach first graders in reading skills at the Mount Horeb Elementary School.

Nancy is survived by her three children, Lisa (Bengt Westerblad), Christopher (Kim) and Scott (Tammy); and four grandchildren, Benjamin (Shelby), Frederik, Adam (fiancée, Marina Anderson) and Louisa. She was preceded in death by her parents; and husband.  

Private funeral services were held. Entombment will be in the Roselawn Memorial Park Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Mount Horeb Public Library. Monetary donations for the Friends of the Mount Horeb Public Library should be made to “Friends of the Mount Horeb Public Library” and mailed to 105 Perimeter Rd., Mount Horeb, WI 53572-2013. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420