Nancy Marie Radenz, 58, of Athol, passed away September 21, 2013, after a courageous battle against cancer. She was born December 16, 1954, in Chicago to Lorraine Radenz and Ken Olsen, and was later adopted by Melvin Radenz. She grew up in Elmhurst, Ill., where she completed high school and obtained an Associates Degree in Accounting. She worked for McDonalds Corporation as an accountant for 12 years until she moved to Osage Beach, Mo., and had three beautiful children, Amanda, Rebecca, and Matthew Radenz. Nancy then worked for Dress Barn as a store manager for 10 years until she moved her three kids to Athol in 2001. In Idaho she continued to work for Dress Barn managing two stores until an opportunity arose as a front end manager for Home Depot; where she worked for the last seven years.

Nancy had a huge passion for traveling. Her curiosity to experience different cultures and discover new places led her to travel to 39 states and over 12 countries worldwide. When she was 18 she graduated early from high school and had a rail adventure across Europe. She saw everything including Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower, the Venice Canals, the Vatican, beautiful churches and everything in between. After four months, her girlfriends from Chicago met her and they continued their journey. Italy, and specifically the Colosseum, were her favorite parts of the trip. Her love for traveling didn’t stop there. She took her parents on many vacations including Hawaii and Jamaica where they always seemed to meet trouble. Nancy wanted her kids to share this same passion for discovery and adventure so every year she would take them somewhere new. They visited family in Florida and Illinois, rafted rivers in Texas and Utah, camped in National Forests and Parks, rolled down the Great Sand Dunes, hiked through the Grand Canyon and Mount Rushmore and visited every museum, aquarium, science center, and learning center in between. During her treatments for cancer she still took time to travel. The biggest trip was a family cruise to Mexico for her birthday in 2011; seven beautiful days across the Pacific Ocean was exactly what she needed.

Another passion of hers was gardening. She knew everything about dirt, flowers, and vegetables. From the moment the snow was gone in Spring to the first frost in Winter she was in the yard and garden planting her heart away. In Boise she attended College of Western Idaho, working to obtain a degree in Horticulture. She was only able to complete a year of classes, but in that year she impressed every teacher and made her daughter’s yard beautiful with flowers.

The most memorable trait about Nancy would have to be her sense of humor. No matter what was going on in life she always was a source of smiles and laughter.

Nancy is survived by her two daughters Amanda Radenz, 23, of Boise and Rebecca Radenz, 22, her son Matthew Radenz, 21, her brother Martin Radenz, 55, her mother Lorraine Radenz 87, all of Athol, and her sister and niece of Missouri, Lori, 45, and Ashley, 8, Radenz. Nancy is preceded in death by her father Melvin Clarence Radenz and brother Jon George Gloden.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Nancy's home in Athol on Oct. 19, 2013. The Memorial will be at 2:30 p.m. and a potluck reception will follow. Guests are encouraged to arrive by 2 p.m. and bring side dishes or desserts. Please call Amanda at (208) 661-6580 or Rebecca at (208) 819-3840 if you have questions.