Barneveld – Nancy Lou (Reeves) Gaffney, age 83, of Barneveld passed away on the morning of Friday, December 23, 2022, after a lengthy illness with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. She was strong, resilient, and never complained as the disease presented challenge after challenge over the course of the past decade.

Nancy was born on October 8, 1939, in Morris, Illinois, to Glenn Edwin Reeves and Goldie Elizabeth (Snodgrass) Reeves. Nancy attended Morris Community High School, graduating in the Class of 1957. Nancy attended Illinois State University at Normal, graduating in 1961. On June 23, 1963, exactly 59 ½ years to the day of her death, Nancy married Jerrold Gregg Gaffney of Milton, Iowa. They had three children, Sara (Julian) Yeomans, Scott (Val) Gaffney, Erin (Chris) Hofland. Nancy and Jerry were blessed with eight grandchildren whom she was very proud of, Paige Gaffney, Clara Hofland, Bree Gaffney, Ian Hofland, Kelly Gaffney, Norah Hofland, Ty Gaffney, and Zoe Yeomans.

Nancy is survived by her husband Jerry, her children, grandchildren, sisters Shirley Jorstad, Judy (Bill) Burns, Carol Jacobs, and sister-in-law, Norma Zeitler. Nancy also leaves behind many dear nieces and nephews.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents Glenn and Goldie, her infant brother, Robert Glenn Reeves, and brothers and sisters in law Russel Jorstad, Gilbert Jacobs, Norris and Thelma Gaffney, Jean and John Evans, and James Zeitler.

Nancy was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. After attending Illinois State University, Nancy taught school in Aurora, Illinois until her marriage to Jerry. They moved to Iowa for two months before settling in Kilgore, Nebraska where she was a ranch wife and substitute teacher. The change from a town near Chicago to western Nebraska was a big one, but she loved it and was exceptional in all her endeavors. In 1976, Jerry and Nancy moved their family to a farm they purchased in Barneveld, Wisconsin. She continued substitute teaching and worked at Lands' End as a Customer Service Representative and Training Department Assistant until her retirement. She was very active in the church every place that she lived. She was a pianist/organist for the church and enjoyed playing for school activities, weddings, and funerals. She enjoyed her involvement with the Birch Lake Homemakers and was also a 4-H leader for years where she shared her talents in sewing, baking, and cooking. She treasured the many hours spent reading stories and playing games with her grandchildren. She looked forward to traveling every opportunity she got, especially with her sisters and to visit her daughters.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at the BARNEVELD UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, 104 S. Jones St, Barneveld. Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at the GORGEN-McGINLEY & AYERS FUNERAL HOME, 400 E. Grace St., Dodgeville. Private Family Inurnment will be held at Bethel Cemetery at a later date.

Our family would like to thank Upland Hills Hospice Care and Christian Servants Home Care. It is hard to express our appreciation for the love and countless hours of care by the dedicated people who took care of Nancy (you know who you are). Thank you is not enough.