Visitation will be at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Osmond on Monday Aug. 24, from 5 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will also be at Immanuel Lutheran Church on Tuesday, Aug. 25, at 10:30 a.m. with interment immediately following at Rosehill Cemetery. Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Tyler von Rentzell, Nate Christensen, Connor von Rentzell, Matt Christensen, Tucker von Rentzell and Cole Daubert. Organist will be Lori Koehler, and congregational hymns will be 'Beautiful Savior,' 'I Know My Redeemer Lives' and 'Blessed Assurance.'

Born on Jan. 27, 1945, in Osmond, Nancy was the daughter of Lloyd and Irene Kear. From an early age, she learned the values that would define her life: hard work, compassion, integrity, love of family, and faith. She spent her childhood in Osmond and started her education at Immanuel Lutheran School, and she could still recite Psalm 23 and name the books of the bible in order which she memorized as part of the curriculum. Her father bought a creamery business while she was young, renamed it Lloyd’s Produce, and her family lived above the store on the main street of Osmond until she was in high school. She graduated from Osmond High in 1963 and hers was the second class to graduate from the new school building that is still used today. The next year she married a young farmer, Gary von Rentzell. They lived at various sites before settling on a farm six miles east and one mile south of Osmond. In addition to raising four kids, she worked alongside Gary and his father on the farm for several years. When her youngest started school, she began working part-time for West-Hodson Lumber in Osmond and then worked full-time for Petersen and Son, starting as a receptionist and then bookkeeper until she retired. After retirement she worked part-time for the United Methodist Church, and just fully retired a few years ago. Also in retirement, she started a baking business out of her home. Many citizens of Osmond enjoyed her delicious cakes, pies, breads, cupcakes, and cookies!

She found her greatest joy in this life in her family. She was immensely proud of all her kids and grandkids and their accomplishments. She was happiest when she could cook and bake for her family at her home, with all of them gathered around. She was every grandchild’s number one fan no matter the activity, and spent countless hours cheering at sporting events, speech competitions, and one-act plays. She was always willing to lend a sympathetic ear, offer sage words of wisdom, or share a laugh. She had a wonderful sense of humor and was making her family smile up to the very end. She also enjoyed din- ner club with her friends, golfing, and going to concerts. A special memory for her was seeing Elvis Presley in Omaha shortly before he died, and most recently going to see Christian artist Phil Wickham with her daughters and granddaughters in Wichita, KS. Phil’s music was very meaningful to her and helped her through her cancer journey this past year.

More than anything, Nancy loved the Lord God. Her faith was not something she professed, it was something she lived. Through prayer, worship, service, and study of God’s word, she reflected Christ's love to those around her and set an example to be followed. She believed deeply in God’s promises and found comfort knowing that this life was only the beginning of an eternal journey. Her family is comforted to know that they will be with her again in paradise, and that she heard the words “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:23.

Nancy is survived by her daughter and husband, Kecia and Keith Christensen of Omaha and children Melissa (husband Ty, sons Lane and Jay) of Ashland, Nate (wife Jaclyn, daughter Halston) of Blair and Matt of Omaha; daughter and husband Stephanie and Howard Daubert of Omaha and children Cole and Kelsey; son and wife Aaron and Jenny von Rentzell of Osmond and children Tyler of Omaha, Connor of Orlando, FL, and Ella, and son and wife Jason and Lisa von Rentzell of Osmond and children Kenzie of Omaha, Tucker and Addi, sisters-in-law Eleanor Kear of Kansas City, MO, and Catherine (Kitty) Kear of York, faithful dog Charlie, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends too numerous to mention but not forgotten.

Nancy is reunited in heaven with her parents, brothers Ronald and Dennis, former husband Gary, former in-laws George and Astrid von Rentzell, and many other aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.