Nancy Lynne Tjornhom

Nancy Lynne Tjornhom (Luxon) age 90, joined her Savior Feb. 24, 2025, and was reunited with her beloved husband Tom and son Chris. Survived by children Lisa (Randy) Roehl, Sarah (Scott) Reid, Jon and Tedd; daughter-in-law Bethany; 16 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; sister Jean (Milt) Bryan, sister-in-law Barbara (Richard) Nelson and many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by parents Ward and Helen Luxon, 2 great-granddaughters and other loved family members. Nancy gave selflessly, loved completely, and embraced life with enthusiasm and grace. She had a passion for music, reading, Bible study, travel, and genealogy. Nancy was very patriotic and deeply committed to her family and to her Savior Jesus Christ. A pilot, water-skier, piano teacher, poet, bassoonist, Bible study leader and consummate hostess, she was creative, nurturing, and fun-loving. Nancy made people a priority. Born Aug. 25, 1934, in Milwaukee, WI, to Ward and Helen Luxon, Nancy and her younger sister Jean were raised in Grand Rapids, MN, which Nancy described as “a wonderful small town with lakes all around.” The family lived in an apartment above their small business, Luxon Motors. Summers on Lake Pokegama in the family’s Chris Craft boat—the Nancy-Jean—shaped her love of water, adventure, and beauty. Nancy was 10 years old when her father left to serve during WWII. His long absences were difficult for the family, but they stayed connected with “loads of wonderful letters.” Ward promised his girls that after the war he’d get them a piano. Two years later he did, and Nancy began piano lessons at age 12. This fueled her lifelong love of music: playing piano, saxophone, bassoon and singing. Nancy also had a lifelong love of adventure and at age 16 learned to fly her father’s yellow, two-seat Aeronca airplane, delighting in spins, stalls, and the breathtaking view of Minnesota’s lakes from above. She studied music education at Macalester College in St. Paul, flew with the Flying Scots Club, and met fellow music major Tom Tjornhom. They married in 1955 and spent their first year in Colorado Springs, CO, where Tom was stationed at Fort Carson. Nancy took classes at Colorado College to finish her degree and taught swimming at the YMCA. After the army, Tom and Nancy moved back to Minnesota where Tom opened a chiropractic office in Bloomington. Nancy took an interest in Tom’s career, becoming a long-term member of the Minnesota Chiropractic Auxiliary and in later years Tom’s receptionist. The Tjornhoms built a vibrant family life in Richfield, MN, raising five children in a home filled with music, books, pets, laughter, and strong faith. Family road trips, downhill skiing, and lots of time at Otter Tail Lake were highlights. Nancy loved to host family holidays in their home, gathering the family around to sing while she played the piano (the piano that was a gift from her father). Their door was always open to friends and family: from bridal showers to Bible studies, political meetings to music jams. Nancy lit up any event with her humor and grace. Amidst their busy life Nancy and Tom prioritized time away as a couple, whether fall weekends at the North Shore, winter escapes south, Otter Tail Lake for cabin time, or the east coast for history. Family history was of special interest. A direct descendent of Declaration of Independence signer John Hart, Nancy was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Music was central to Nancy and Tom’s marriage. From family singalongs to 4th of July parades at Otter Tail Lake—Nancy playing saxophone, Tom directing the band—they made music together throughout their life. The two enjoyed singing with Tom’s sister Barbara and her husband Dick in a quartet they called The Sentimentals www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNwyPxzDoqo . Even in later years, after Nancy suffered strokes, they played as the “15 Flying Fingers,” her right hand playing melody, and his hands adding harmony. God drew Nancy’s heart from an early age. As a child, she asked for a Bible as a birthday gift and joined an adult Bible study when she was a young teen. At Macalester, she became involved with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and early in their marriage, she and Tom made deeper commitments to Christ at a Billy Graham Crusade. Nancy described loving God and knowing Jesus as her personal Savior as “the most passionate path in my life.” Years attending St. Paul’s Lutheran Church were significant to the Tjornhoms’ spiritual growth, as was time supporting the Gamble Folk singing group—both were also times of forging life-long friendships. Nancy loved studying the Bible. She was asked in 1973 to teach a Bible study for senior women at an inner-city Presbyterian Church, which was an integral part of her Monday mornings for many years. Nancy and Tom were impacted by the Lutheran Holy Spirit renewal of the 1970s. Supporters of Christian education, Nancy started a choir at Powderhorn Christian School while Tom led the band. Having a heart for people in need, Nancy helped coordinate a Twin Cities World Vision banquet and supported the Franciscan Brothers of Peace. She was also a sidewalk counselor for Prolife Action Ministries and a speaker for Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life. Profoundly impacted by a week of hosting Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, founders of Voice of the Martyrs, in their home, Nancy said: Most amazing is that Richard told me of coming up out of the underground cell after years of confinement and seeing light, color, people...., and he mostly MISSED the glowing light and presence of the Lord in his cell. Can we imagine this? Should we not seek his Presence more and more, here and now? In their later years, the Tjornhoms attended Fort Snelling Memorial Chapel, a community that united their love of God and country. Nancy’s legacy is one of enduring love—for her family, her nation, and most of all, her Savior. A dearly loved “Nama” to her 16 grandchildren, Nancy was very present in their lives. Her grandkids remember her as “extravagantly generous, gracious and kind” and the “epitome of fun.” A week with her was “childhood luxury”: hours of reading, back tickles, playing beauty parlor, Mickey Mouse waffles, and laughter as she sent Beanie Babies down the laundry chute. “Time with Nama was magical.” Nancy had a gift for creating joy and bringing family together—whether through swimming off the pontoon at Otter Tail Lake, orchestrating epic water balloon fights at the farm, or planning outings to Chuck E. Cheese. She also made time to connect with each grandchild individually, nurturing their passions, helping them learn to swim, memorize Bible verses, and sing harmonies. Nancy was a tender presence when grandkids were sick and a consistent encourager through handwritten notes, cards, and letters. Her tenderness was matched with strength; grandkids recall her long-suffering resilience. Nancy’s love of the Psalms and Scripture left a lasting impression, modeling a heart that sought to serve and know the Lord. Her hallway with grandchild photos was a place of prayer, where she faithfully blessed them with these words: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24–26) Nancy’s celebration of life will be May 31st, 1 pm at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1901 Portland Avenue, Minneapolis. Memorials are preferred to the Franciscan Brothers of Peace.

Tributes

Nancy Lynne Tjornhom

August 25, 1934 - February 24, 2025

Tributes

Nancy Lynne Tjornhom

August 25, 1934 - February 24, 2025

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