Nancy Anderson

   It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Nancy (Steenerson) Anderson, 66, of Cavalier, ND, on Sunday, September 22, 2024, at Encompass Health-Altru Rehab Hospital in Grand Forks. Her heart, which spent a lifetime pouring out love and dedication to others, simply decided it could not keep up with all she still had left to do.
   Nancy was born on June 14, 1958, to parents Margery (Cochran) and Marlin Steenerson of Drayton. She cherished a childhood filled with lifelong friendships and the warmth of a supportive family. She made it her early life’s project to to manage two crazy brothers and a taga-long little sister. 
   Nancy graduated from Drayton Public School and immediately went to the University of North Dakota to pursue her dream of becoming a special education teacher. Nancy then spent a majority of her adult life working in special education, guiding countless students toward graduation with patience, understanding, and a hearty dose of humor. She had a remarkable gift for seeing the potential in every student, and many of them achieved things they never dreamed possible, thanks in no small part to her steady encouragement. She never sought the limelight but was the guiding light for so many who passed through her classroom. 
   Nancy met the love of her life, Dan, at a “social event”, and according to Dan, it was love at first site. Nancy always joked that it wasn’t quite first site for her, but he was very persistent, and she finally gave in to his quick wit and charm. They married on August 20, 1983. For over forty years, they built a comfortable life filled with travel, friends, family, joy, laughter, and endless love. 
   In their early years, Nancy and Dan loved to travel, exploring new places and making lasting memories. But as time passed, they found equal happiness on their farm, gardening side by side and enjoying the simple pleasures of life. Nancy lived vicariously through the adventures her siblings recounting, relishing every story and imagining herself part of the escapades. She always had a way of finding joy listening to the laughter of others. Though Nancy has left us too soon, her legacy lives on with her loving husband, in the students she uplifted, the family she cherished, and the many lives she touched along the way. May her heart, which worked so tirelessly to care for others, finally find rest. 
   She will be greatly missed but never forgotten. Nancy is preceded in death by her mother, Margery (Cochran) Steenerson, her father, Marlin Steenerson, her big brother, Bob Steenerson, (all of Drayton), and her nephew, Travis Gierszweski (Grand Forks). 
   She leaves behind her ever-faithful and loving husband, Dan Anderson of Cavalier, brother Tom Steenerson (Doreen), Grand Forks, sister Barbie Steenerson (Drayton), and numerous nieces and nephews.    
   Funeral services will be held on Monday, September 30, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Drayton United Methodist Church in Drayton, ND. Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 29, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Askew Funeral Home in Cavalier.