Nancy Macnamara

Nancy Marie Macnamara passed from this life on Ash Wednesday, February 18th, 2026, at the age of 96 ½. She was born to Irving and Ruth Van Stone on August 30th, 1929, in Washburn Wisconsin. She was joined by sister, Mary Kay, two years later.

The family owned and operated their farm as Town’s End Dairy. Nancy attended Washburn High School where she was a cheerleader, played tennis and was a lifeguard in the summer on Chequamegon Bay. She graduated with the class of 1947, and enrolled at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota the following Fall. It wasn’t long before she met Bob Macnamara “Mac”, a tall basketball playing chemistry major from Willmar, MN. They married on December 30th, 1950, but the couple’s life on campus was interrupted by Mac’s draft induction into the US Army, and his deployment to the war in Korea. Nancy gave birth to their first son, Michael Robert on November 12th, 1951, so she returned to Washburn with her newborn and resided with her parents until Mac’s discharge, and then both returned to their studies at Hamline. They greeted their second son, Mark Alan, on November 12th, 1953, and shortly after, she graduated as a registered Nurse. She practiced as an RN at St John’s Hospital in St Paul, and welcomed their third son, David Lee, on August 22nd, 1956. The family moved into their first home in White Bear Lake, MN and on September 23rd, 1960, were joined by daughter, Jill Marie. 

Nancy was an accomplished homemaker and baker but took pride in her children as they grew and developed in their studies and athletic activities. After Mac’s stint in a corporate career and Nancy as a school nurse at Eagan Elementary, the couple purchased Silver Sands Resort in Pequot Lakes, MN. They welcomed guests from all over the Midwest for the next 18 years, becoming fast friends with many of them that still lasted many years after selling the resort. Nancy was an active member of Grace United Methodist Church for more than 51 years and a member of the Nisswa Garden Club for 17 years. She won many ribbons for her flowers and hostas, some of which are still displayed at the Pelican Lake Conservation Club in Breezy Point. Nancy was an avid quilter, and the examples of her talents are scattered far and wide among friends and family. In addition to her four children, Nancy was immensely proud of grandchildren, Philip, Matthew, Justin, Ryan, Drew, Jessie, Travis, and Dillon, who have among them contributed 11 great-grandchildren from ages 29 to almost 2. 

Nancy was preceded in death by her son, David (1983) and husband of 62 years, Mac (2013); brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, 2 nieces, and many friends. She is survived by her sister, Mary Kay Petersen, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews and dear friends. 

Her memorial service will be held at 1:00pm on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Grace United Methodist Church in Pequot Lakes. Memorials to Grace United Methodist Church.