Nancy Shepperson

Nancy Carolyn Kortes Shepperson was born December 21, 1948 in Casper Wyoming at the then Casper Memorial Hospital. She was taken home to the Kortes family ranch just in time for the blizzard of '49. Nancy grew up on her family's Black Canyon Ranch, working in the huge garden, working cows, halter-breaking colts, spending the summer days in the hay field, and taking care of her younger brother and sister. She attended the small 2-room Kortes Dam School through 8th grade. She then lived with families in Alcova, riding the bus to Casper where she attended and graduated from Natrona County High School, returning to the ranch every weekend throughout her high school years. She married Alan Shepperson and had two sons, Keith and Kevin. Nancy and Alan later divorced. She lived in Jeffrey City, Cheyenne but soon returned to Casper where she lived the remainder of her life. Nancy earned an Associates degree in Nursing from Casper College. She was very dedicated to her profession, spending 17 years in the medical field. Nancy loved the holidays, planning wonderful celebrations for her boys. As she got older she left all the decorations up throughout her home. Visitors would find a Christmas tree, jack-o-lantern lights and valentine pieces lit up every day of the year at Nancy's home. She loved reading her newspaper every day and watching old westerns. Nancy developed cancer of the larynx when she was 38 and following radical surgery was forced to speak with an artificial voice box. Further cancer treatment affected her stomach and esophagus and she relied on a stomach feeding tube the last ten years of her life. In the midst of this battle, Nancy narrowly survived a horrific car accident leaving her with leg injuries that plagued her the rest of her life. In 2010 Nancy developed breast cancer. Following surgeries, she proudly wore a bracelet declaring her a breast cancer survivor. Nancy was very proud of her Finnish heritage, and often displayed her Finn sisu. The word sisu means to face all odds with resilience, grit and determination. The old Finns believed individuals should power on when they reached the end of their mental or physical resources. Her sister Tina often referred to Nancy as her hero. She adored her Sissy, and the shining example of never giving up and never complaining that Nancy demonstrated. Following her breast cancer surgery, Kevin surprised her by sending her a ticket to fly to Alaska. She made a special trip to spend her birthday, Christmas and the New Year with Kevin, Jaquel and her precious granddaughters. She loved to collect small knick-knacks and holiday themed linens. Keith often brought his mother home new treasures, which she loved and always proudly displayed. When her disabilities worsened, Keith moved in with his mother to help care for her until he became too ill himself to continue. They had a very special mother-son bond. Nancy loved animals of all types. Even when she could barely walk, she continued to feed the neighborhood dogs special treats. She kept many bird and squirrel feeders in the trees in her yard. She loved her special dog Lady and is survived by her favorite little kitty that became her best friend. On November 20, 2015 Nancy died in the same hospital where she was born, the Wyoming Medical Center. Nancy loved Jesus and knew He loved her. As a girl, she had spent many Sundays at her grandfather Andrew Kortes's knee as he read from the family bible. Before she died she reminded her family that Jesus was her Savior and their Savior too. Nancy is survived by her son Keith Shepperson of Casper, Wyoming; beloved granddaughters Aubrey and Gabriella Shepperson of Anchorage, Alaska; daughter-in-law Jaquel Shepperson of Anchorage, Alaska; sister Tina (Dick) Willis of Wheatland, Wyoming; and brother G.G. Kortes of Rawlins, Wyoming. She also leaves behind a niece and nephews. Nancy is preceded in death by her son Kevin Shepperson of Anchorage, Alaska; parents Halsey and Ann Wurl Kortes of Kortes Dam, Wyoming; stepmother Ruth Wolfe Kortes of Kortes Dam, Wyoming; and grandparents Andrew and Inez Kortes of Kortes Dam, Wyoming and Fred and Anna Wurl of Laramie, Wyoming. A memorial service for Nancy will be held at Bustard's Funeral Home at 11:00AM Wednesday, November 25, 2015. David Dick will officiate. Following the service, coffee will be served at the funeral home. A private family service will be held at Memorial Gardens, in Casper, next summer when it is warm, because Nancy would have liked that. Memorial contributions in Nancy's name may be made to the Wyoming Pioneer Association, RJW Conference Center, PO Box 1313 or PO Box 1545, Douglas, WY, 82633.

Service

Wednesday, November 25, 2015 11:00am

Bustard's Funeral Home

600 CY Avenue

Casper, Wyoming 82601