Nadine Marie Smith Kanz, 90, of Winona passed away Monday, March 25, 2024, at Lake Winona Manor, Winona, Minnesota.
Nadine was born November 18, 1933, to Frank and Bertha (Hupp) Smith. She graduated from Winona Senior High School in 1951. Through a part-time work program they offered to senior students, Nadine worked at the Winona County courthouse in the tract index office. After graduation she worked at Merchants National Bank as a secretary and then moved to the bookkeeping department which she dearly loved.
Nadine married Richard (Dick) Kanz on May 14, 1955, at St. Mary’s Church, Winona, MN. She continued to work at the bank until their two children were born. She then retired to become a stay-at-home mom. This lasted about two years when Dick decided to try his luck running his own outboard motor repair shop from the garage at their home. In 1966, the City of Winona asked him to take over the Municipal boat harbor on Latsch Island. Dick became the mechanic and Nadine became the bookkeeper and together they ran a successful business, Dick’s Marine. Their two children and their spouses joined the business as time went by and the Kanz family still operates the Marina. Dick continued working in the business until 2013 when the good Lord called him home.
Nadine never left her childhood neighborhood, just moved to a different house. She was an accomplished figure skater and loved all sports. As her children grew older, she followed them in all their activities and became a girl scout leader and a cub scout leader. She cherished her grandchildren and enjoyed the blessings of family time and vacations. She loved all animals, and their farm was known as a sanctuary. Any unwanted animal was welcomed at Hillcrest Farm in rural Rollingstone.
Nadine is survived by her daughter Laurie (Mark) Mathot, of rural Rollingstone; son Jeff (Melinda Cyert) Kanz of Rollingstone; grandson Derrick (Kim) Mathot and their children Danielle and Amber; grandson Christopher (Jill) Mathot and their children Caiden, Mackenzie, and Kayla; grandson Joel (Tiffany) Kanz and their children Madison, Breelyn, and Aaron; and one brother Richard (Ruth) Smith of Goodview and their son Reid.
Nadine was preceded in death by her husband Richard and her daughter-in-law Brenda Kanz.
Nadine was a lifelong member of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Winona where she was baptized and confirmed and where her funeral services will be held.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. on Monday, April 8, 2024, at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Winona, Minnesota. A time of visitation will be held at the church on the day of the funeral from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Interment will be at Woodlawn cemetery, Winona, Minnesota.
Services entrusted to Fawcett-Junker Funeral Home and Crematory, Winona, Minnesota. Online condolences can be left at www.fawcett-junkerfuneralhome.com
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