Nancy Faye Weaton died peacefully, surrounded by her family, on August 2, 2026, at her residence, Addington Place of Fairfield after an extended illness. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, teacher, caregiver, and faithful servant whose life was marked by love, joy, resilience, and devotion to others. As were Nancy’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Services honoring her life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 24, 2026, at the Word of Life Church in Fairfield, IA with Pastor Jason Christensen officiating. The family respectfully request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be directed to the Word of Life Church or to Little Superheroes (littlesuperheroesfairfield.com), continuing her legacy of helping others. Memorials may be mailed c/o Cranston Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 189, Fairfield, IA 52556.
Friends may leave online condolences at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com. Nancy was born November 20, 1950, in Rockford, Illinois, to Glen and Jean Shafer. Her family later moved to Fort Dodge, Iowa, where she grew up with her older sister, Cindy. She graduated from Fort Dodge Senior High in 1969. During her school years, Nancy was active in music, Glee Club, synchronized swimming, bowling, golf, and student life. She played piano and oboe, served as drum major, and was a member of the National Honor Society.
Nancy attended Iowa State University. Although health challenges kept her from completing her degree, she met life with courage, faith, and humor, often saying, “Life is my college.” That spirit of perseverance and gratitude remained with her throughout her life.
On August 24, 1973, Nancy married Jim Weaton. Together they shared almost 53 years of marriage built on faith, friendship, laughter, and steadfast love. They were blessed with two children, Nathan of Fairfield, Iowa, and Heather of Rochester, Minnesota, and five grandchildren: Jackson of Sioux City, Iowa; Cami of Des Moines, Iowa; Abby of Des Moines, Iowa; Maxwell of Ames, Iowa; and Sam of Ames, Iowa.
Nancy devoted more than 40 years to work that reflected her deep love for children and families. She served in many roles, including YMCA Aquatics Director, independent home childcare provider, Village Inn front-of-house Manager, Edwards Dental Clinic office manager, KinderCare preschool teacher, YMCA school-age childcare coordinator, private preschool teacher, and beloved “Nana.” She considered her work with children a calling and touched many young lives with patience, kindness, encouragement, and joy. Nancy’s faith was central to her life. At Word of Life Church in Fairfield, Iowa, she served as a Lay Minister, Prayer Writer, and Outreach Mission Committee Member. She also served through First Methodist Church in Cedar Falls, Iowa; Nazareth Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls, Iowa; Second Baptist Church in Springfield, Missouri; and Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago, Illinois. Her volunteer service extended to the YMCA in Iowa, Missouri, and Illinois; High School Athletic Booster Clubs in Cedar Falls and Fairfield; Community Well Resource Center in Fairfield; and Little Superhero’s in Fairfield.
Nancy enjoyed family gatherings, meaningful conversations, Hawkeye football and basketball, and tailgating with Jim and their dear friends Pam and Terry. In her later years, she found great purpose in writing “God Talks” caring emails to local nursing homes, her church family, and the broader community, offering encouragement, prayer, and hope to others.
Nancy is lovingly remembered by her husband, Jim; her children, Nathan and Heather; her grandchildren, Jackson, Cami, Abby, Maxwell, and Sam; her daughter-in-law, Lori Schaefer-Weaton; and extended family including Dick and Judy Smith, Brian Smith, and Patricia Strigerwald. She was preceded in life by her parents, Glen and Jean Shafer. Nancy’s life verse was James 1:2–4, a passage that reflected the strength, endurance, and faith with which she lived. Her legacy will continue through the family she cherished, the children she nurtured, the prayers she offered, and the many lives she blessed with warmth, courage, service, and joy.
