Nancy LaRue

Nancy L. LaRue was born on February 5, 1923 in Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. Her parents, Stanley and Lilian (Guest) Ashton, were both from England. She grew up in St. Louis with her sister, Doreen. She then went to Cape Girardeau, Missouri to pursue an English teaching major at Southeast Missouri State Teachers College (later known as Southeast Missouri State College). She graduated with a BA degree in Education in 1944. While at college, she met another student, James LaRue. They dated, fell in love, and were married on January 20, 1945 in St. Louis, Missouri. Since it was during wartime, the wedding was held while Ensign James was on leave after earning his wings as a Naval Aviator. Jim's mother made Nancy's wedding dress, Jim's father was his best man, and a neighbor of his parents served as a groomsman. After the war was over, Jim returned to college to complete his BA in Industrial Arts teaching. While at Cape Girardeau, their first daughter, Linda, was born. After graduation, they moved to their first teaching jobs in and around Monett, Missouri. During those years, Nancy taught for three years (two at Pleasant Dale Country School where she and her co-teacher were the only two "degree" teachers in Missouri teaching in country schools). While at Monett, both sons, Dave and Rick, were born. In 1952, they moved to Perry, Iowa, where they lived for three years. While at Perry, she taught one year at Gardner Consolidated School and also gave birth to her youngest daughter, Kathy. After moving to Cedar Falls in August 1956, so that Jim could teach Industrial Technology at the Iowa State Teachers College, Nancy became a "stay at home mother" for several years. In 1960, she returned to teaching and taught 9th grade English at Peet Junior High for two years where she also directed the 9th grade play. In the late 1960's Nancy decided to start work on a Masters degree in Library Science at UNI. In 1970, she graduated with her MA degree and was hired to be a Media Specialist, serving four elementary schools in the Cedar Falls School System. She continued in that position for fourteen years, retiring in 1984. During the 57 years Nancy lived in the Cedar Falls area, she was involved with numerous women's clubs and activities. Some of these included: Presbyterian Women; Faculty Dames (they later became UNI Connection); Chapter KL of the P.E.O. Sisterhood (50 year member); Cedar Falls Woman's Club; Delta Kappa Gamma IOTA Chapter; and 19th Century Club. It is interesting to note that Nancy was not only a member of each of these women's clubs and activities---her leadership qualities were always recognized by the other members and she was elected to President in all (or most) of them. Nancy was also an avid UNI supporter and she and Jim attended a multitude of UNI sports events during their retirement years. They also enjoyed theatrical activities at the Gallagher Bluedorn Theater, the Black Hawk Playhouse, and the Cedar Falls Theater. In 1990, they purchased and began remodeling a hundred year old schoolhouse north of Nashua, Iowa, where they enjoyed spending many pleasant days during the spring, summer, and fall months. During their marriage, four children were born. A daughter, Linda Johanningmeier (Gary) of Waukon, Iowa; a son, David LaRue, of Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts; a son, Richard LaRue, of Saco, Maine; and a daughter, Kathryn Gronberg (William) of Cape Coral, Florida. From these four children, nine grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren were born and added to her family. Nancy died on Wednesday, November 13, 2013 at the Western Home Communities Elizabeth Martin Health Center after 90 plus wonderful years of an exciting and fulfilling life. Nancy loved to travel and together she and Jim were able to see a multitude of amazing and thrilling sights all over the world. She was an extremely religious woman and she lived and practiced her deep faith everyday of her life. There is a saying, "To the world you might just be ONE person. But, to one person, you might just be THE WORLD!!!" That's the way that Nancy lived her life. She was always there to lend a "helping" hand where it was needed. Nancy might have been just ONE person, but to each of her family members and to many of her friends, she was indeed THE WORLD!!!! She was an amazing and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister. She will be greatly missed, but she will live on in our hearts forever.

Nancy LaRue

February 5, 1923 - November 13, 2013