Nancy J. Anderson

Nancy J. Anderson, 92, passed away Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at the Iron County Medical Care Facility in Crystal Falls, Michigan.

Nancy was born on June 22, 1934, in Stambaugh, Michigan, the daughter of the late Leonard and Lucille (Durand) Anderson.

She graduated from Iron River High School in 1952, after which she entered the United States Navy and served from 1952 – 1956.

After leaving the Navy, Nancy attended Northern Michigan University, where she earned a master’s degree in education. She began teaching girls physical education in the Forest Park School District in 1960 and worked to launch a girls track team. Throughout her 26 years as a teacher there, she also coached girls basketball, organized after-school activities for her students, and ran summer school sports programs. Her advocacy for girls sports, well before the passage of Title IX, made her a trailblazer, and her former students still fondly remember her and the many ways she advanced the cause of girls sports.

Nancy was a lifelong member of St. Agnes Catholic Church of Iron River and active in its Altar Society, as well as the American Legion Alfred Branchini Post #17, and MARSP.

She was a skilled bowler and golfer, and she also enjoyed reading, cross-country skiing, the outdoors, and the Packers.

Nancy was preceded in death by her brother James Anderson and nephew David Anderson.

She is survived by her sister, Mary Beth Sanneman of Nashua, New Hampshire, and her sister-in-law, Geneva Anderson, currently of Kingsford, Michigan. She is also survived by six nieces and a nephew: Brenda Anderson-Baker, Sharon Warner, Barbara Mancill, Susan Dean, Julie Cleary, Michelle Conrad, and Paul Sanneman; as well as numerous great-nieces and great-nephews. In addition, Nancy leaves behind many dear friends to whom she was family.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, November 12, 2026, at 11 a.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church, with Father Daniel Fosu officiating the Mass of Christian Burial. Interment of ashes in Resthaven Cemetery will follow. The West Side Veterans will accord Military Rites at the graveside.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Agnes Catholic Church or the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff at Iron County Medical Care Facility for their loving care of Nancy during the last months of her life.