Nancy Lee Costello, age 91, passed away peacefully with family by her side on Wednesday, March 6, 2024.
She was born Nancy Lee Estlund in Suring, Wisconsin to her parents David Estlund and Ermalinda Mischo Estlund on Dec. 29, 1932. She grew up in the town of New London, Wisconsin where she was a highschool cheerleader. There she met Tom Costello, who was captain of the football team. They were married soon after high school and started a family immediately thereafter. Nancy found time to work at Zinzow Construction Company and Waupaca Publishing as a receptionist while raising 7 kids. Nancy enjoyed many interests such as playing Scrabble, painting, singing, playing the piano and deer hunting. Nancy became very involved in acting in the Waupaca Community and Sweet Lips theaters. In 1973 she was the ping pong champion of Walworth County!
Nancy loved retirement. She and Tom traveled to the southwest where they lived in various RV ranch communities where they both became involved in their clubhouse entertainment, where Nancy sang and played the keyboard while Tom sang and told jokes.
Nancy was a sweet, warm and loving person. She had a great smile, contagious laugh and a wonderful sense of humor. Also, she made the best baked beans ever!
She is survived by her children; Debbie Costello Horton, Linda (Ray) Meckel, Cathy (Dan) Maurer, Tim (Tracy) Costello, Sandy (Matt) Rice, Michelle (Sean) Gahagan, and Kelly Olson. She is also survived by brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; Anne Estlund, Gary (Trudy) Kelly, Diane (Curt) Fuhrmann, Dennis (Diana) Kelly, Kathy Leiby, Mary Lynn (Tom) Krueger, Christine (P.J.) Nolan, Kevin (Kathy) Kelly. Nancy is also survived by 19 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren. She is further survived by numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
Nancy is preceded in death by her husband, Tom Costello, her parents David Estlund and Ermalinda Mischo Estlund, her father in-law Fritz Kelly and mother in-law Anita Kelly, her brothers Rudy Lemke, Doug Estlund and Bruce Estlund, her sister Sallie Feavel, brothers-in law John Costello, Bob Feavel and Jim Leiby, sisters-in-law Lou Estlund and Sue Kelly and grandchildren Jay Bradley Rice and Jared Van Horn.
Since Nancy loved rescue animals, in lieu of flowers, a contribution can be made to an animal shelter or charity of your choice in her memory.
Nancy chose to be cremated and has requested a private “Celebration of Life” party to be enjoyed by family and friends at a later date.
Special thanks to the staff at Park Vista Retirement Living and ThedaCare At Home Hospice for their kindness and compassion.