Nanci Lee Tullos, 89

Nanci Lee (April) was born in Sandpoint, Idaho, on May 29, 1937, the second eldest child of Pearl Marie (Koski) and Jim April. Nanci grew up in an old Milltown House on North Boyer with her older sister Naomi, younger sister Patricia and baby brother Jimmy. 

While they had a humble home, there was always a surplus of love, family and friends to make her childhood memories ever so special. Nanci was close to both her Finnish and Italian grandparents, learning many traditions from both sets. She was also very fortunate to have a large extended family to grow up with. 

Nanci attended Lincoln Elementary, Sandpoint Junior High and graduated from Sandpoint High School in 1955. Some of Nanci’s most treasured memories growing up were of how she and her sisters taught their little brother and his friends how to dance the Jitter Bug, among other dances from that era. 

She also had many happy memories of playing ball with her family, softball being her favorite. Nanci was active in her high school choir and sang with the St. Joseph Catholic Church choir. Nanci often spoke of how much she loved singing at Sunday mass with her Aunt Betty and Uncle Bud Brown. Nanci also sang with her sisters, always harmonizing. She and sister Pat would often be asked to sing for functions at the Eagles and Elks where their parents were members. Such fond memories of hers that she has passed down! 

After graduating in 1955, Nanci went to work for Dr. Applegate as a dental assistant, in Sandpoint. Nanci loved music, especially the rock 'n’ roll of the '50s and '60s! Buddy Holly, The Everly Brothers and Richie Valens being amongst her favorites. Nanci joined her brother-in-law’s band, The Marauders, as lead singer along with sister Naomi in the early '60s. They played local gigs and toured the Oregon Coast. The Marauders jammed with many up and coming acts of the time, like Paul Revere and The Raiders. 

Nanci later moved to Seattle where she went to work for Instant Copy downtown as an assistant. There, Nanci became involved in the Civil Rights Movement after witnessing the injustices her dear friend Fanny had to endure. 

In late 1965, the girl from Sandpoint, Idaho, met the naval officer stationed at Sand Point Naval Base in Seattle, Billy Joe Tullos. The couple eloped in Moses Lake, Wash., on April 7, 1966. Nanci and Bill were later re-married in 1968 at the Catholic Church with family and friends in attendance. 

The Navy moved the couple to San Diego and Long Beach, Calif., where Nanci remained while Bill was shipped off to fight in Vietnam. In 1968, after 15 years of honorable service, Bill discharged from the Navy and the couple then made their home in Missoula, Mont. There, Bill worked to help start up the Evan’s Lumber Company (later Louisiana Pacific). Nanci and Bill enjoyed bowling on leagues and taking many trips, often taking her parents and their beloved poodle “Happy” along to join them. 

After 12 years of marriage, and nearly giving up on having their own children, Nanci gave birth to daughter, Felicia, in 1978. Their second daughter, Robyn, was born in 1980, and then their long-awaited family of four was finally completed. 

In 1983, Bill transferred with the then LP plant to Chilco, Idaho, and the family moved to Sandpoint where their oldest daughter began school. In 1985, Bill took a position as a stationery engineer in Clallam Bay, Wash., and the family then moved to the Olympic Peninsula. Nanci and the girls would spend their summers in Sandpoint with family, while Bill stayed to work in Clallam Bay. Upon Bill becoming disabled in 1990, the family returned to Sandpoint where they would remain for nine years. Back in her hometown, Nanci enjoyed playing bingo three nights a week with her mother, sisters and aunts. She also enjoyed weekend trips into Spokane to play at the larger bingo halls. 

On December 3, 1995, Nanci unexpectedly became a widow after nearly 30 years of marriage. 

Nanci and Bill had owned property in Lake Havasu City, Ariz., at one point, and they had always planned to return to the area for retirement. In November of 1999, Nanci and her girls bought a home in Bullhead City, Ariz., not far from Lake Havasu, and across the Colorado River from Laughlin, Nev. There, Nanci was able to fulfill she and Bill’s dream to retire to the Desert Southwest, while also being close enough to enjoy playing bingo and the slots in Laughlin, as well as take bi-weekly trips into Las Vegas for all the entertainment and excitement found there. 

In June of 2011, Nanci became a grandmother with the birth of her granddaughter, Liliana, and the next chapter of her life, being Gramma Äiti, began. In June of 2018, Nanci’s grandson Billy was born. She proudly attended every dance recital, school function, production and as many sporting events of each of her grandchildren as possible. 

Nanci was always up for having a good time. She loved to dance and attend concerts, Paul McCartney and the Eagles being among her favorites. So many fond memories made with her daughters, attending concerts and productions of all genres — from the oldies but goodies of her day, to country, to hard rock and everything in between. From small theaters to sold out arenas — she loved it all! 

Nanci was a huge Gonzaga Bulldogs fan and loved the Seattle Seahawks and Super Sonics, but above all was a Seattle Mariners fan! Nanci enjoyed traveling to watch her teams play over the years and always had so much fun on her annual trips to Seattle with her kids and grandkids to see them play (and they always won!). The final game that she was in attendance for was last August. She was so upset when the M’s fell short of the World Series last fall, but proudly watched her Seahawks win their second Super Bowl earlier this year.

Nanci was both of her daughters' first and forever best friend. She never missed a single production, or concert, or game that either were involved with, and she proudly carried on that same support of her grandchildren for as long as she could. Nanci believed in the love and strength of family, and for always standing up for what you believe, and to especially stand for those who were unable to for themselves. She was a huge animal lover, never not having a dog or three by her side to love. Nanci was a truly compassionate soul who would do and give anything for her kids and grandkids, and they never once had to question her love and support for them as it was always evident in everything she ever did or said. Nanci was always there, no matter what. 

In September of 2018, Nanci was officially diagnosed with dementia. Having lived in the Southwest for 20 years, she was ready to return to the Northwest and be closer to her hometown and family. In October of 2019, Nanci and family moved to Cheney, Wash., where she could be safe and cared for by both of her daughters, as this horrible disease progressed to the Alzheimer’s stage in March of 2020. 

After a rough start to 2026, Nanci was hospitalized for COVID-related issues and sent to rehab for a month. Nanci was determined to get back home and she did just that! Always so strong, in every aspect, the illness early in the year proved to wreak havoc on her cognition and progressed the Alzheimer’s into its final stages, but never not knowing her daughters and grandchildren. Nanci passed away on the evening of Friday, July 31, peacefully at home. She was surrounded by her family and her three dogs. One of her favorite songs, "Let It Be," was playing in the background, along with old home movies on the television. 

Nanci will forever and always be loved and missed. The void she’s left us with is already being felt, but it does bring us comfort to know that she and her soulmate, Billy Joe, are finally reunited after 30 years apart. 

Nanci is survived by her daughter, Felicia (Louis) Vigder, daughter, Robyn Tullos, granddaughter, Lilee, and grandson, Billy, all of Cheney, Wash.; sister-in-law, Sandra April of Sun City West, Ariz.; sister-in-law Judy (EL)Toppel of Conroe, Texas; brother-in-law, Carl (Joyce) Tullos of Fairchild, Texas; nephews, Randy Townsend of Sandpoint, Idaho; Craig Sauer of Fargo, N.D.; Todd (Renee) April of Priest Lake, Idaho; Tony (Jessica) Townsend of Post Falls, Idaho; niece, Desiree (Osias) Segura-April of Roseville, Ga.; and numerous great-nieces and nephews, and cousins. 

Nanci was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Joe Tullos; parents, Jim and Pearl April; sisters, Naomi Townsend and Patricia Sauer; brother Jim April, Jr; nephews, Ricky Sauer, Tim Townsend, and Kirk Sauer; as well as her grandparents, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. 

Memorial services will be held on Friday, August 14, 2026, at Coffelt Funeral Service in Sandpoint, Idaho, at 2 p.m. Graveside services at Pinecrest Cemetery will directly follow. 

In addition, a celebration of life will be planned for Nanci’s 90th next May. 

Family and friends are invited to sign Nanci's online guest book at coffeltfuneral.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.

Mom, we will love you forever and always, and beyond the beyond. Thank you for always being there for us, no matter what or when, you were the very BEST!