Nancy Jane Wesselius

Nancy was born to Ray and Marie Bales on October 23, 1932 in Van Buren, Missouri, where she spent the first few years of her like, along with her older brother Ralph.

In approximately 1940, her family moved to Lynden, Washington. They had a small farm (60 acres) growing the best strawberries in Whatcom County. Mom grew up working on the farm and around the house, mostly cooking meals for the entire family. She told us that she couldn't wait to get away from farm life, but as her kids, some of our best memories were spending summers on the farm with Grandma and Grandpa.

Mom wasn't much of a student and never finished high school. Her favorite past time was cruising through Lynden (one main street) and Birch Bay lookng for boys.

Nancy met Robert Wesselius in early 1950 and they were married on New Years Eve of the same year. They had four children (Greg, Mark, and twin daughters Jill and Joan). They spent the next 40 years in Bellevue , Washington, raising their family. Mom was a homemaker and was kept very busy with four young children, all born within the first four years of marriage.

There was never much money, but we always had a roof over our heads and food on the table. Mom kept the house and our clothes spotless, which was a tough thing to do with four kids.

She was known as a great cook and also enjoyed baking and decorating wedding cakes, which she did as a hobby. When the kids were old enough to attend school, Mom went to work as a baker in the kitchen of the local junior high.

When Robert and Nancy retired, they spent several years traveling around the U.S. in a 5th wheel trailer, seeing family and friends and so many sites that they were unable to visit while raising a family. They finally settled in Florence, Arizona. After spending most of their lives in "rainy" Western Washington, the heat of Arizona appealed to them. They lived in Florence until Robert's death in 2010. They were married 59 years!

After Robert's death, Nancy moved to Placer County to be near family. She is survived by her four children: Greg (Suzanne), Mark (Mary), Jill and Joan. Grand children Carie (Josh), Eric, Cole (Becky), Christine and Derrick. Great Grand children include Madelaine, Amelia, Alexander, Matthew, and Cassie.

We Love you Mom and God Bless You.

Thank you to the staff of Auburn Ravine Terrace and Sutter Hospice for taking such great care of Mom.