Nancy Mae (Anderson/Trager) Papanek, 87, of Springfield died peacefully at her home on December 12, 2018.
Born in Atmore, Alabama on August 6, 1931, Nancy moved to Springfield, MO. with her parents in 1939 where they had their family home that she loved since then to this day. Nancy attended Phelps grade school, Jarrett Jr. High and graduated from “Senior High” now known as Central High, all in Springfield. She attended Drury College and was active in Pi Beta Phi Sorority. She worked for the Frisco Railroad in the mid 1950’s and then several years for the Springfield Chamber of Commerce. Nancy moved to St. Louis, Mo. working in Human Relations and met her first husband Edward Trager there. They were married for 17 years before Ed passed away. Nancy remained in the Eastern part of the USA which she had come to love. She worked for several large companies in Human Resources. After several years, she met Andrew “Andy” Papanek and they both enjoyed each others company and companionship, they fell in love and were married in 1998. They built a home together in Avon, CT where they resided and were close to Andy’s family and business. Nancy loved the Papanek family and their closeness including John Papanek and his wife Jill of Woodbury, CT, Andrew “Drew” Papanek of Winsted, CT, Andrea Papanek and her husband Kevin of West Chesterfield, NH, Peg Papanek of Asheville, NC and Tommy Papanek, who predeceased her. She talked much about them and particularly about grandkids of Andy’s who she was very fond of, Michael Papanek and sister Kendra Papanek, Matthew Papanek and Zachary Papanek. She leaves a very close friend Dennis O’Connor and his family.
She had many happy memorable years with Andy in Connecticut. After Andy’s death in 2011, she moved back to Springfield to be near her brother and his wife, Walford “Spike” and Cathy Anderson. She was also very close to her niece Amanda and her husband Josh Dilsaver. Nancy was close to Spike’s daughter Debbie who preceded Nancy in death. Nancy leaves a niece Amy Stults and her two children Leyton and Kaliliah.
Nancy also leaves nephew’s that were loved by her, Derick and his wife Malorie Cotner and daughter “Great Grandniece Layla. and nephew Andrew “Andy” Cotner and wife Caroline and Great Grandnephew August. Derick and Andy’s father David and his wife Angie.
She built a house when she came back to Springfield and had not lived there long when she fell and cracked her back, it was a long recovery at assisted living until she was able to move back home with round the clock care givers … but she was in her own home and was very happy there, however her health continued dwindle. She was very close to one of her care givers, Theresa Frank and they were friends.
The evening before her death we had gone to Jimm’s Steakhouse for Christmas dinner and Nancy was able to go, she gave a portion of the blessing.and had a very nice evening and was happy she had been up to going. The following evening her brother Spike had gone to visit her instead of going to church service, they talked together for about an hour and she looked up and passed away, very peacefully while talking with him. She believed in Jesus Christ and that He was the Son of God. Her parting words were always … God Bless !
Services will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, December 17, 2018 at Greenlawn Funeral Home East, 3540 E. Seminole, Springfield, Missouri.
Burial will follow in Spring River Cemetery, Verona, Missouri.
Memorial contributions may be made to Ozarks Food Harvest.