COTTAGE GROVE - Nancy Rebecca (Rowland) Aure, 71, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 9, 2026, at her home in Cottage Grove, WI. Nancy (Nan to her friends) was a devoted wife, mother, nana, sister, and friend. She was love, light, laughter, friendship, encouragement, peace, and safety. She was adored and treasured by all who knew her, and she will be deeply missed.

Nancy was born in Owensboro, KY on August 10, 1954, to Russell and Frances Rowland. She grew up in Owensboro and graduated from Daviess County High School in 1972. Following high school, Nancy moved to Tulsa, OK, where she studied at Oral Roberts University. Academically gifted, she graduated summa cum laude in 1976, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in music. She played the clarinet. After graduating from college, Nancy moved to Madison, WI where she met her husband, Tim. Together, they built their home, both literally and figuratively, in Cottage Grove, WI, where they raised their 7 children. After moving to Madison, Nancy worked at Methodist Hospital for several years before becoming a full-time stay-at-home mom. An early pioneer of the homeschooling movement, Nancy educated all seven of her children and co-founded the T.E.A.C.H organization. She was a Girl Scout Troop Leader and a longstanding member of Monona Oaks Community Church, where she led the Angel Tree Charitable Program for many years. She also looked after, mentored, and nurtured many young mothers.

In 1998, Nancy rejoined the workforce and began working for Pleasant Company (now American Girl). She remained there for 24 years, first joining the company in the order processing department and later rising through the ranks, ultimately serving in the role of Manager of Specialty Services, where her work responsibilities included overseeing AG’s famous Doll Hospital, leading Mattel’s business-to-business division, and both launching and leading AG’s social media channels before her retirement in 2023. During the course of her career at American Girl, several of her co-workers grew to become beloved friends and she deeply treasured their friendships.

Nancy enjoyed travel, word games, tabletop puzzles, and a good, well-scented candle, but her greatest pleasure was sharing in the lives of those she loved. She spent her life exemplifying the characteristics described in Proverbs 31.

Nancy is survived by her husband, Tim Aure of Cottage Grove, WI; her brothers, Byron Rowland of Owensboro, KY and Wes Rowland of Visalia, CA; her sister and brother-in-law, Rachel and David Wagner of Tulsa, OK; her brother-in-law, Jim Brown of Erin, TN; her son and daughter-in-law, Jared and Tanvi Aure of Las Vegas, NV; her son and daughter-in-law, Seth and Fatimah Aure of Oakland, CA; her son and daughter-in-law, David and LaToya Aure and their children, Uriah, Zanna, and Salome of Madison, WI; her daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca and Justin Burge and their children, Benjamin, Elizabeth, Jonah, and Levi of Verona, WI; her daughter, Hannah Aure of San Francisco, CA; her daughter and son-in-law, Grace and Bradley Hicks and their son, Judah of Lansing, MI; her daughter and son-in-law, Lauren and Ian Felten and their son, Wesley of Grand Rapids, MI; her nephew, Ethan Wagner, his wife, Genesis and their children, Gabby, Caleb, Emma, and Corbin of Tulsa, OK; her niece, Gretchen Wagner of Tulsa, OK; her niece, Anna Agnew, her husband, Jeff and their son, Jude of Tacoma, WA; and her cousins, Betty Albin of Evansville, IN, Jim Rowland of Greenville, KY, David Rowland of South Korea, Danny Chewning of Columbia, SC, Steve Rowland and his wife, Lois of Midlothian, VA, Diana Spence of Cliffside, NC, Judith Cuyler of Wilton Manors, FL, Ann Alvis-Jennings and husband, Larry Jennings of Bradenton, FL, Jennie Alvis of Bradenton, FL, Michael Wilhoyte and wife, Karen of Novato, CA, and Walter Alin Wilhoyte and wife, Denice of Whitehouse, OH.

Nancy’s family invite all who knew or loved her to attend a celebration of her life being held at Olbrich Gardens, 3330 Atwood Ave., Madison, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, February 1, 2026. The service will begin at 11:30 a.m. with a luncheon to follow.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420

Nancy Rebecca Aure

August 10, 1954 - January 09, 2026

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