Nancy Faye Kapels, 78 of Creston, Nebraska, died Wednesday, June 22, 2022, at Emerald Care & Rehab of Columbus.

The funeral service will be held on Monday, June 27 at 10:30 AM, at St. John's Lutheran Church (12.5 miles north) with Rev. Paul Rempfer officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Gass Haney Funeral Home and continue Monday from 9:30 AM until service time at the church. There will be a family prayer service at 10:15 AM on Monday at the church. Memorials are suggested to St. John's Lutheran Church or Lakeview High School.

Nancy Faye Kapels was born in Columbus, Nebraska, to Harry and Ruby (Leffers) Becher on June 25th, 1943. After spending most of her childhood in Brownsville, Texas, Nancy returned to Nebraska to attend Concordia Teachers College in Seward, Nebraska, where she earned her teaching degree. She was wed to Wilmer Kapels on June 6, 1965, at St. John's Lutheran Church, and together they lived just outside of Creston where they raised three children: Peggy, Amy, and Tom.

Nancy lived her life with a passion for teaching, music, faith, and her family. She taught in several local Christian and public schools from the time that she graduated college up to a few months before passing, taking time off only to raise her family. In her teaching career spanning 57 years, she touched the lives of many within the community. Nancy was very active within her church of St. John's Lutheran where she was frequently involved with Vacation Bible School, choir, handbell choir, the Women's Missionary Aid, and many other special events. In her home life, Nancy was thoroughly devoted to her family and cherished her time with them.

Nancy's surviving family include her husband Wilmer, her three children Peggy (Andy) Groothuis, Amy (Todd) Nelson, and Tom (Sera) Kapels, six grandchildren: Jason, Conner, Riley, Jordan, Noah, and Aydan, and her brother Gary (Sue) Becher.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents and a brother Thomas.

Service Folder Information
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.[c]
There is a river whose streams
make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Come and see what the LORD has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields[d] with fire.
He says, "Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."
The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Psalm 46


In Loving Memory Of

Nancy Faye Kapels

Born
June 25, 1943
Columbus, Nebraska

Entered Into Rest
June 22, 2022
Columbus, Nebraska

Service
Monday, June 27, 2022 10:30 AM
St. John's Lutheran Church, LCMS
Rural Columbus, Nebraska

Officiant
Rev. Paul Rempfer

Music
Julie Oehlrich – Organist
"On Eagle's Wings"
"Beautiful Savior"
"Amazing Grace"
"How Great Thou Art"

Casket Bearers
Andy Groothuis
Todd Nelson
Jason Groothuis
Conner Groothuis
Riley Kapels
Jordan Kapels

Honorary Casket Bearers
Noah Kapels
Aydan Kapels

Interment
St. John's Lutheran Cemetery
Rural Columbus, Nebraska