Nancy Lee VonBank

Nancy VonBank December 3, 1943 - November 23, 2024 Nancy VonBank, 80, of Lino Lakes, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 23, 2024, at Lyngblomsten at Lino Lakes. Her life was marked by dedication to education, love for her family, and a spirit of adventure that touched countless lives. Born in Halstad, Minnesota to Lee W. and Marjorie A. Helgerson, Nancy pursued her passion for education by earning both her undergraduate and master's degrees from North Dakota State University. On June 13, 1964, she married Jim VonBank at Holy Spirit Church in Fargo, North Dakota, beginning a beautiful partnership that would span 60 years. Nancy dedicated over three decades of her life to teaching at Centennial High School, where she was a beloved Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) teacher. Her extraordinary ability to connect with students and impart lifelong skills made her a favorite among generations of students. Her passion for education extended far beyond the classroom, as she continued to embrace new projects and learning opportunities well into retirement. Known for her warm personality and gift for making everyone feel special, Nancy never met a stranger. Her passion for life expressed itself in many ways: through her love of fashion (whether sewing or teaching about design), her excitement to plan family summer trips, her enthusiasm for crafting and creative projects, and her adventurous spirit that led her on numerous summer trips with her cherished group of lady friends. In retirement, Nancy and Jim particularly enjoyed bus tours to western national parks and visits to the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre with friends. Nancy's greatest joy was her cherished family. She took immense pride in her children, Jen and David, whom she and her husband welcomed into their hearts through adoption from Colombia. Their journey to become a family was one she treasured deeply. Even after retiring from teaching, Nancy's energetic nature kept her busy with new projects and adventures. Above all, she treasured time spent with her grandchildren, pouring her love and creativity into making memories with them. Nancy is survived by her children Jen (Steve) Papineau of Ham Lake and David VonBank of Florida; brother-in-law Ralph Thoreson; and her beloved grandchildren, Gabriella, Luciana, and D'Alessandro. She was preceded in death by her husband Jim VonBank, her parents, Lee and Marjorie Helgerson, and her sister, Marilee Thoreson. Nancy's vibrant spirit, boundless energy, and loving nature will be deeply missed by all who knew her, but her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched as a teacher, friend, mother, and grandmother. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, December 12 at 11AM (visitation begins at 10AM) at St. Odilia Catholic Church, 3495 Victoria St. N., Shoreview. Interment in the parish Prayer Garden. In lieu of flowers or monetary donations, the family kindly requests contributions be made to the Alzheimer's Association in Nancy VonBank's memory.

Tributes

Nancy Lee VonBank

December 3, 1943 - November 22, 2024

Tributes

Nancy Lee VonBank

December 3, 1943 - November 22, 2024

We are here for you 24x7

Call us and get help now

(612) 377-2203