Nancy Lee Boles

Nancy Lee (Zwink) Boles was born in Omaha, Nebraska February 15, 1935 to parents George and Abbie (Keiser) Zwink. In the early morning hours of Sunday, July 21st, 2024, Nancy surrendered her weary body after a long and seemingly rebellious battle with Dementia / Alzheimer’s. She did not fold easily to this devastating disease, surprising all who cared for her repeatedly with her resilience and fight each time it was thought the battle was over.

A blind date set up by a close friend with Neil J Boles, a handsome young member of the Air Force resulted in their later elopement in Iowa on March 1, 1953, much to the chagrin of her parents. Neil was the tail gunner on a B-29 and was deployed to the area of the Korean conflict. Nancy worked in an office waiting for Neil’s safe return.

Five children were born to Nancy and Neil over time as they lived in several different states, including 8 years in upstate New York, near Neil’s family. Nancy enjoyed the mountains and lakes with her husband and kids, Mike, Dave, Kristie and Cheryl, but eventually longed to move back to the Midwest to be closer to her family. As Neil was working his way up through the Univac Corp. as a computer systems engineer, he was allowed to transfer to Missouri and the family relocated in Grandview, with the last child, Tim in tow.

Although Nancy loved being a homemaker, she returned to the workforce when the youngest started school, as a secretary for the American Business Women’s Association. She made many new friends who enjoyed her crazy sense of humor and genuine friendship. In 1986, Nancy landed a new job with Sprint as a legal secretary. Shortly thereafter, she was widowed as Neil passed away from a rare blood disease. She learned to move forward in life by filling her time with family, friends crafts,and new adventures . A collector of antiques for many years, she had teamed with a dear friend before Neil’s passing and they opened a booth at a local antique mall in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. They took a number of trips back East to collect inventory and enjoyed hilarious escapades along the way.

In 2005, she retired from Sprint and her life slowed down, but she always cherished her family, friends and pets. Despite losing her husband and many friends that had passed before her, pure determination, love from her family and remaining friends, and large amounts of humor carried her through the remainder of her life. Little bits and pieces of these showed up all the way to the end and we are inspired and hopeful in life because of it. ❤️

Surviving Family Members: Children-Mike (Earlene) Boles, Dave Boles, Kristie (Bruce) Rogers, Cheryl (Don) Pelzer, Tim Boles, Brother-in-law Gerald Nellis, Sister-in-law Janet Boles, Sister-in-law Kim Boles and Many Nieces and Nephews. Grandchildren - Holly (Kevin) Bramble, Shelby Kistner, Neil (Maddie) Boles, Katie Wise (Andrew) Johnson, Kellie Wise (Tiffany), McKenzie Rogers (Nick) Grable, Marisa Rogers, Tyler Boles, Wade Boles. Great-Grandchildren - Jordan, Haley, Kaitlyn, Camryn, Madison, Kaden, Collin, Kenzi, Landon, Quinten, Aspyn, Emma and Holden.

Deceased Family Members: Parents - George and Abbie Zwink, Husband - Neil .J Boles, Sister & Brother-in-law - Joann (John) Richardson, Brother & Sister-in-law - Tom (Fern) Zwink, Daughter-in-law-Claudia Boles and Grandson - Henry Boles, Neil M. Boles - Father-in-law, Louise Boles - Mother-in-law, Ellen Boles (Steele) Morgan - Sister-in-law, Gerry Boles - Brother-in-law, Joyce Boles - Sister-in-law, Carolyn Boles Nellis - Sister-in-law, Robert Boles - Brother-in-law, Kevin Boles - Brother-in-law, Louise Boles - Sister-in-law