Nancy Wilson, 89

Nancy Moen Wilson was born and raised in her beloved Coeur d'Alene, where she spent most of her life. While she was very healthy most of her 89 years, she passed away much too soon from an unexpected blood disorder as she was peacefully surrounded by family and friends. 

Mom was born in 1936 and raised in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, to Anton and Naomi Moen, who owned Moen Hardware and Machinery. She and her brother, Ron, accompanied their parents on visits to farmers all over the Rathdrum Prairie and beyond. Her beloved Grandmother Minnie lived with them as she was growing up.

She attended school right here in town, graduating from Coeur d'Alene High School in 1954 and was actively involved in many (if not all) clubs, with an emphasis on theatre. She was close with many childhood friends and even did some acting in her 50s. She often said growing up in Coeur d'Alene was the best childhood a person could have.

After attending Pepperdine University (good old PU), she returned to Idaho and graduated from the University of Idaho in 1958. It only took her three years to get a BA in Education. She met Charles William Wilson (Bill), who received his BS in electrical engineering and married him in 1958. Then, right on time, their daughter Wendy was born there in 1959. Next came son Brent in Portland, Ore., in 1960. Then son Matthew in San Francisco, Calif., in 1963. Mom held out to receive the 25,000th baby born award. Promotions led them to Santa Barbara, Calif., during the 1960s and Dallas, Texas, during the '70s — interesting cultural influences for her.

Mom moved back to Coeur d'Alene in 1980, glad to be home. She had come full circle and was now an empty nester. She worked at The Spokesman Review for years, then became the Facility Director at her Alma mater, the University of Idaho, for eight years in her old sorority house, among other roles, which she loved. Back in Coeur d'Alene, she volunteered for CASA, the Coeur d'Alene library, NIC Boswell events and the North Idaho Museum. Also, in those years, she played bridge and Mahjong, had monthly luncheons with her high school friends, as well as Taco Tuesday and Mexican Train at the Eagles, where she used to attend high school dances.

Nancy leaves behind her son Matthew Moen Wilson, who lived and cared for her for over 20 years! Her son Brent William Wilson (wife Shelly and daughter Hannah), who lives in Oregon, and daughter Wendy Lynn Wilson (husband Ed), who also lives in Coeur d'Alene. She also has many relatives on her brother Ron's side and her husband Bill's side. While she didn't want a public funeral, she did want a memorial at any of the locations she is remembered- a grave at Coeur d'Alene Memorial Gardens, a scattering of ashes and a remembrance at Forest Cemetery. Please contact her son, Matthew, at her home number or her daughter, Wendy, for information.

"God saw me getting weary. He did what He thought best. He put His arms around me and said, "Come and rest." He opened up His Golden Gates on that heartbreaking day. And with His arms around me, I gently slipped away. It broke my heart to leave you. I did not go alone. A part of you stayed with me. The day God called me home."

For more information, visit Nancy’s online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.