Nancy Sue Cribbs' Obituary
Mom was born as Nancy Sue Radeke in 1934 in Blue Island Illinois and passed peacefully after a short illness on July 13, 2024. Nancy was always very proud of her Radeke name and strong German heritage. That strong German heritage was put to use growing up on a farm in Three Oaks, MI with her four sisters where they raised crops and cattle.
Nancy attended the Michael Reese School of Nursing in Chicago, IL, and upon graduation, worked as a surgical registered nurse. She was married to Charles William Cribbs in 1956 and soon moved to Muskegon, MI to raise their children.Nancy moved the family to Montague, MI in 1967 and lived on White Lake for nearly 20 years. There along the lake, Nancy raised her three children and kept active with many activities volunteering as a school nurse, school secretary, and a member of the PTA.
Nancy enjoyed playing tennis, golf, camping, and was an avid horseman. Over the years, Nancy owned and trained seven horses, showing them in 4-H with her daughter, and training one to pull a historic buggy and sleigh. She worked for several years at the American Sampler gift shop in Whitehall, then worked as the postmistress at the Wabaningo Post office in Sylvan Beach. To honor her years of service there Fruitland Township declared August 14 to be "Nancy Cribbs Day".
Nancy maintained a large garden where the harvest every year was either made into yummy meals or canned for future use and for friends. Her sense of humor was the source of much joy, and her nephews and nieces affectionately called her Auntie Top!
Nancy was also an intrepid adventure traveler, usually traveling with her sister Pat. She traveled to Alaska three times and the first time was a 5000-mile driving trip along the tough AlCan highway pulling a trailer. Fellow travelers could not believe two women in their 60's would attempt that. Churchill, Manitoba, to watch polar bears and color tours to Vermont where among the other great adventures. She had a great love of the outdoors and could have flourished in the frontier land.
Through her entire life, her love and dedication to the Lord guided her every step and every action. Nancy was committed to and was part of the Bible Standard Ministries bible study group for more than 60 years. She was a dedicated student of the scriptures with her brethren. Her brethren were a large part of her life. Nancy loved her Lord, loved her children, and her dogs Annie, Scout, and Tex and will be missed by all whose lives she touched.
Nancy is survived by three children Brian Cribbs (Irene), David Cribbs (Michelle), and Laurel Zwit (Tim). Also, survived by ten grandchildren, Nate, Ian, Salena, Doug, Christian, Ryan, Drew, Brooke, Trevor, and Jordyn, and nine great grandchildren. Her four sisters and parents passed before her.
Funeral services will be at Shoreline Memorial, 816 S Mears, Whitehall, Michigan on Thursday, July 18, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. with visitation 30 minutes prior to the service. Interment will be at Oakhurst Cemetery in Whitehall. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Bible Standard Ministries 1156 St. Matthews Road Chester Springs, PA 19425-2700.
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