Nancy Jane Manlove, 84, of Ottumwa, IA passed away on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at the Jefferson County Healthcare Center in Fairfield, IA. As were her wishes her body has been cremated. A celebration of her life will be held from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at the KD Center in Eldon, IA. Memorial contributions in her honor may be directed to the Heartland Humane Society. Friends may leave online condolences at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Nancy was born on December 31, 1939, in Ottumwa, IA, to Ivan and Maxine Chance. She grew up in Selma, Iowa and Eldon, Iowa, and graduated from Eldon High School.
For most of her life, Nancy worked the full-time job of raising her children. She also held a few jobs at the Eldon Grocery store and North HyVee kitchen. She provided childcare for several of her grandchildren and great grandchildren, an invaluable gift to both the parents and the kids!
Nancy loved to garden and filled her yard with beautiful flowers. She enjoyed painting (although she never liked what she made), knitting, crossword puzzles, and was the family seamstress. She enjoyed traveling, especially to the mountains, but to her, there was no place like home! Nancy loved her children and grandchildren unconditionally. She reminded her family often how much she loved them. And most of all, she really enjoyed spoiling her grandchildren.
Nancy was a regular blood donor for many, many years, until her health would no longer allow her to. She knitted beautiful blankets for all the new babies in the family (that are highly cherished) and donated knitted blankets and hats to the hospital. Nancy also cared for her own mother at the end of her life. She was a true role model to her entire family.
Nancy was the “glue” of the family. We will greatly miss her humor, kindness, hugs, and that sparkle in her beautiful hazel eyes.
She is survived by her brothers, Tom (Mary) Chance and Richard (Sharon) Chance; her sister-in-law Cora Leake; her 8 children and stepchildren, Frank Cloke Jr., David (Terri White) Cloke, Dawn (Craig) Brown, Jan (Bill) Birch, Laura (Eric Snyder) Thompson, Kate (Eric) Dodson, Angela Quincy, and Bud Manlove. She is also survived by her 20 grandchildren, Amanda (Justin) Johnson, Sam (Pearl) Cloke, Shaylee (Robert) Sedore, Allen (Tiffany) Cloke, Clayton Cloke, Sarah Cloke, Aaron (Katie Olinger) Cloke, Taylar (Bailey VanBlaricom) Brown, Andrew Birch, Justin (Brandi) Birch Sr, Amber (Nick Thordarson) Thompson, Matt (Meliah) Thompson, Markie (Dustan) Smith, Levi Tschetter, Annabelle Tschetter, Nolan Dodson, Claire Dodson, Yvoone (Will) Robison, Jason Quincy, and Michelle Manlove. As well as a niece, two nephews, 39 great grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Ralph Manlove, daughter-in-law Leisa Cloke, nephew Tige Chance, sister-in-law Deloris Brosi, and brother-in-law Robert “Bobbie” Manlove.
