Nancy Nelson Warneke

Nancy grew up in Phoenix and graduated from North Phoenix High School in 1953. That fall she began college at the University of Arizona in Tucson, where she joined the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. Nancy met her future husband Jack Warneke at a rush party for the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, and when Nancy was chosen to be “The Dream Girl of Pi Kappa Alpha” at a dance that spring, Jack “pinned” her as a pre-engagement.

Nancy and Jack were married during Christmas break on December 26th, 1954 at the First Methodist Church in Phoenix, Arizona. The young couple lived around the country while Jack was a pilot in the US Air Force, eventually settling in Riverside California with three children Harry, Jim, and Steve.

In 1969, Jack and Nancy purchased property near DeAnza Drive in San Jacinto, California and built their home where they lived for 55 years. Nancy was an educator with the San Jacinto Unified School District from 1969 until her retirement in 1991. In retirement, Nancy was an active volunteer in the San Jacinto community with the Community Builders and the annual Hamburger Bash fundraising event, as well as the Daughters of the American Revolution, the San Jacinto Education Foundation, San Jacinto Museum, Church of Latter-Day Saints, and many local volunteering groups.

Nancy and Jack were married for 69 years and traveled the world together. Nancy was a loving grandmother to seven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. Nancy celebrated her 90th birthday with family in February 2025, and passed away peacefully on December 23rd, 2025 in Tucson Arizona. She will be buried next to her husband in the Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday January 20th at 12:00 at the LDS Church on De Anza Drive

Following the funeral service, a reception will take place at the same location, beginning at 1:00 pm.