OBITUARY

Lesa Joy Nuzback

February 15, 1956 – March 18, 2021

Ankeny, IA

Lesa Nuzback, 65, went to live with the Lord on March 18, 2021, at her residence in Ankeny, IA. A visitation will be held at Ankeny Funeral Home on Friday, March 26 from 5 to 8 P.M. The funeral service will be held at First Church of Christ on Saturday, March 27 at 10:00 A.M. The burial will be held at Berwick Cemetery after the service. A luncheon will be held at First Church of Christ after the burial.

Lesa was born to H.J. and Lois “Lou” Schwanke in Loma Linda, California on February 15, 1956. Lesa was active in the church all her life, and baptized in Scott City, Kansas in 1964. Growing up, Lesa enjoyed showing horses, and helped out with the family business, Schwanke Harvesting, in Scott City, Kansas. Her moniker while on harvest was “Handy Hank.”

Lesa attended Kansas State University, and earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Animal Sciences and a minor in Analytical Chemistry. While attending, she participated in the Kansas State Rodeo Club and met her husband, Dennis Nuzback. They were married in Manhattan, Kansas, on September 19, 1981 at University Christian Church.

While living in Manhattan, Kansas, their first child, Lauren Rae, was born March 3, 1986, in Wamego, Kansas. The family moved to Atlantic, Iowa, in March 1988, and their second child, Curtis Michael, was born in Atlantic on April 24, 1989. While living in Atlantic, Lesa worked at A & L Laboratories, the Wallace Foundation and sold Mary Kay as an Independent Beauty Consultant. She was active in First Church of Christ teaching youth Sunday School classes, and rode the 90-mile Iowa portion of the River City Round Up by horse several times over the years.

In the Summer of 2004, Lesa and Denny moved to Ankeny, Iowa, and Lesa managed the DuPont Pioneer Livestock and Nutrition Center located in Slater, Iowa, until January 2017; she retired later that year. While living in Ankeny, Lesa attended First Church of Christ, where she continued teaching Sunday School classes and led Women’s Bible Studies.

Lesa is preceded in death by her parents, H.J. and Lou Schwanke, and her sister, Connie Rusbarsky.

Lesa is survived by her husband of nearly 40 years, Dr. Dennis Nuzback; two children, Lauren and Curtis, both of Ankeny; two brothers, Randall and his wife Nancy Schwanke of Scott City, Kansas, and Mo and his wife Julie Schwanke of Anna, Texas; and her late sister’s husband, Bob Rusbarsky of Kansas City, Missouri. She had the love and support of Denny’s family, Jerry and Grace Nuzback, Hopewell Junction, NY and Lynne and Mike Doherty, Goshen, NY. She is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Memorial gifts on behalf of Lesa may be made to First Church of Christ in Ankeny for support of youth events and education, one of Lesa’s greatest passions.

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  • Visitation

    Friday, March 26, 2021

  • Funeral Service

    Saturday, March 27, 2021

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  • Burial

    Saturday, March 27, 2021

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Lesa Joy Nuzback

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Lucy Holmes

March 26, 2021

Lesa, my new friend. My now being 89 years of age, I thought you would be my special friend the rest of my life! .... but you have beat me out of here! It's hard for me to wrap my head around it all! There's not room here, or anywhere, to type out all the wonderful things you are, what you meant to me, and what my future dreams were. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your love and friendship. Suffice it to say that God will mercifully, many times, allow me - via the avenue of my tear ducts - to releave the pressure of the sorrow and shattered dreams. Well, Lesa, I want you to know, you didn't get out of here completely. There is a huge chamber in my heart that is occupied by none other than you, lovely, indescribable. However, you did take a gigantic portion of my love with you. Please share it with our Heavenly Father and Jesus, and my hubby Dayton. Finally you get to meet him. Hold the gates for us all, I will be catching up with you before long! Thanks again, my precious friend.

Jennifer Branson

March 24, 2021

Dennis and family,

I am so sorry for your loss. I pray that the Lord brings you all comfort and peace during this time of grief and mourning. My heart is with you.

With love,
Jennifer

Bill Seglar

March 24, 2021

Denny and family,

You are in my thoughts and prayers during these difficult times with the loss of your wife and mother. I had the honor of working with Lesa during her time working at Pioneer and developed a great appreciation for her organization and attention to detail skills. Lesa was highly respected team member among all she worked with at Pioneer’s Livestock and Nutrition Center. She always wore a smile as she took on most difficult “get ‘er done” projects. Lesa and I talked about our families many times and the obvious love she expressed about your family was deep and central in her life. But Denny I have to say that when it came to the love for her horses, that sometimes you likely came in second place!

With sympathy,
Bill Seglar

Scott Dennis

March 23, 2021

Dennis and family,

Very sorry for your loss and our thoughts are with you.
We went way back, KSU grad school, square dancing (where we met our spouses) and Pioneer...lots of great memories.

Angie & Ben Bowen

March 22, 2021

Dennis, Lauren & Curtis,

When I was interviewing at Pioneer in 2009, Lesa was very helpful in explaining the different RA levels and letting me know what to expect, which I really appreciated and was grateful for. She seemed to always have a smile on her face and was always hopeful. I will always remember how she always got a kick out of Dennis and I going on and on about gardening and baking. You are all in our thoughts.

With sympathy,
Angie & Ben Bowen

Jim Conroe

March 22, 2021

Dennis,
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your wife. May God bless you during this difficult time. I will be thinking and praying for you and your family.
Jim

Donald Sa

March 22, 2021

I will always have fond memories of Lesa and all of her family. We shared much fondness. She will be missed. But we all know that the world is less a place without her.

Angie Boyer

March 22, 2021

Dennis & Family,
I am so sorry for your loss and pray you find comfort and strength in each other right now. Remember all the many blessings you had on Earth with her and look forward to those yet to come when you meet again in Heaven.
Thoughts & Prayers,
Angie Boyer & Blue Driscoll

steve gegg

March 22, 2021

Dennis i am so sorry and you have my sympathy at the passing of your wife Lesa. Celebrate her life, that is the most important memory.
God bless

Steve Gegg

Tara Hanson

March 22, 2021

Dennis, I am so sorry for the passing of Lesa. I am sending you and your family thoughts and prayers of comfort in this time.

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