Nancy K. Gale

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Nancy Gale would stride down Anoka Technical College's hallways with a cheerful attitude, sometimes singing a show tune that was stuck in her head, sometimes laughing and smiling while conversing with a coworker. She was confident as a teacher, serving as a faculty member at Anoka Technical College for 23 years and as a teacher for the state of Minnesota for a total of 36 years. Her coworkers knew Nancy for her laugh, enthusiasm, "bulldog" approach to problems, and dedication to her students. She considered it a privilege teaching adults who were actively choosing to complete a technical program toward a better vocation. Many times after work, Nancy could be found at the local YMCA. She was a longtime teacher of aerobic dance and was known to spontaneously break into dance and song throughout the day. Her inclusive character made her the perfect dance teacher. Any personality was welcome in Nancy's dance class, and she also welcomed everyone to drinks across the street, post-exercise, at The Sunshine Factory. This inclusivity was extended to YMCA members, Anoka Tech coworkers, students, and church members; she had endless energy to share with others, especially with her family. Nancy was a lifelong member of Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church and a part of the United Methodist Women for twenty years, serving on the Leadership Team as a Treasurer and Communications Chairperson. So smart and quick with numbers, being a treasurer was probably her second calling. She would balance checkbooks for fun and complete the Star Tribune sudoku every day during her retirement. This affinity for mathematics, and a love for people, made being a math instructor her true calling. Nancy died peacefully at her home on March 16th, 2017. She was born on April 20th, 1952, to Robert and Virginia (Keen) Krause. After graduating from Edina High School, she attended Cornell College where she met Jerry, her loving husband of 41 years, on the first day. A celebration of Nancy's life and luncheon will be held at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church at 3:00pm on March 26th, with a visitation before the service at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Anoka Technical College Foundation for student scholarships (online donations at AnokaTechFoundation.org) and/or the United Methodist Women at HAUMC. She was preceded in death by her father and is survived by her mother; her husband; her children, Kimberly DeVries (Cullen) and Kevin; her grandchildren, Trenton, Ginny, and Kira; and many other loving relatives. Spending time with these relatives brought Nancy eternal joy; she will always be a remarkable Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Daughter, Wife, and Friend.

Published on March 19, 2017