Nannie Mae Kanengieter

Nannie Mae Kanengieter (Nan), 90, of Centennial, CO went to be with the Lord Sunday September 27, 2015 at Brookdale Senior Living in Denver, CO. 

Nannie Mae was born May 21, 1925 to Abe and Katherine Heronemus in Nobles County on a farm near the Iowa Minnesota border.  As a young child of 5 years old, the family moved to a farm 6 miles from Sibley so she could attend the West Holmen #6 school, a one room school house.  She graduated from the Sibley High School in 1944.  As a young girl she enjoyed being with her family, especially her cousins, and maintained close relationships with family throughout her life.  

On July 6, 1944 she married the love of her life, Ralph Kanengieter, at the Salem Reform Church in Little Rock, IA.  They had a wonderful life together for 61 ½ years. To this marriage they had four children; Sandra (Gene) Richards, Mary Rae (deceased), Mike (RJ), and Twila (Dan) Kelley.  After they were first married, they lived on a farm east of Little Rock, and later moved south of Sibley. 

During the 1950s, the family moved to Little Rock, where Nan helped Ralph at Ralph’s Service Skelly station and at the Little Rock Hardware Store. One of her favorite tasks was mixing the paint, and she enjoyed visiting with the customers.  Over the years, she was also a bookkeeper for several other companies.  In 1965 the family moved to Marion, IA, and in 1970 they moved to Littleton, CO, where Nan resided until her death.

Nan loved to garden, and did lots of canning and freezing. During the Christmas season, she loved to bake dozens of cookies to share with her family and friends. She really enjoyed being involved in many groups at the churches they attended.  She was very proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, attending as many events, games, and celebrations as possible.  

Over the years, Nan loved to travel throughout the United States, sight-seeing and visiting with family.  One of her most memorable trips was with Ralph and children to Hawaii. She continued to travel up until this summer.Survivors include her children and their spouses, Sandra (Gene) Richards, Mike (RJ), and Twila (Dan) Kelley; 7 grandchildren, Carla (Mike) DeGeorge, George Richards, Tim (Jennifer) Richards, Shawn (Dawn) Kelley, Jake (Suzanna) Kelley, Terrance (Lisa) Kelley, and Katie (Jesse) Weems; 19 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson; brother-in-law Rev. Marvin Kanengieter, sister-in-law Myrna Heronemus, and many nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her husband Ralph, her daughter Mary Rae, her parents Abe and Katherine Heronemus, her sister Margaret Ackerman and her brother Elmer Heronemus.

 There will be a Celebration of Life service Saturday October 24, 2015, 10:30 A.M. at Bethany Evangelical Free Church  6240 South Broadway – Centennial, Colorado 80121

 Service Information