Nancy Marie Witte
Nancy was born in Dickenson, North Dakota on March 31, 1946. She was the eldest daughter, the third of 12 children. Nancy was class Valedictorian at Ephrata Senior High in 1964, and later in 1968 graduated from Western Washington University with a degree in Education with a major inPhysical Education. She attained her first masters in Special Education from Oregon State University, and her second masters in Occupational Therapy from Texas Women’s University. Nancy’s service in education extended form teaching and coaching in Manson, Washington, to the Alaska bush, and
back to Fairbanks where she was a strong advocate, and served children with special needs. Her passion was for children severely handicapped, and in need of multiple modes of care. She pursued extensive training in
advanced massage therapies.
While in college, Nancy got the “travel bug” during a trip through Europe on motorcycle with two of her sisters, Alice and Patricia. Nancy was an avid outdoors, backcountry traveler, trekking through the Gates of the Arctic. She was featured in Sports Illustrated for her journey around Baffin Island, and helped map the Porcupine River. Nancy kayaked and canoed rivers throughout the interior of Alaska and the Yukon Territory.
Nancy is preceded in death by her parents, Victor and Agnes, and her siblings Daniel, Carver, Alice, and Cora Thorsness. She is survived by her brothers, Tom, Warren, Robert, Rock, Mike, and sisters Patricia Murray, and Carmen, plus numerous nieces and nephews. She was loved and will be missed by all.
Memorials may be made in Nancy’s name to:
The Grant County Autism Society
43 Basin St. NW
Ephrata WA 98823
Sadly both Duke Giraud and Russ Sligar have also passed away.