Born January 20th, 1932, in Benton Harbor, Michigan to Dan and
Louise Collis. Nancy was the eldest daughter, with sisters and best friends,
Sandy (Karl) Littke, Roxie Michael and brother Dan Collis II. Nancy married
her high school sweetheart, Leslie Butgereit on June 14, 1952. Together,
they had four children, Debbie, Timmy, Kellie and Becky who Nancy stayed
home and raised with love and wit. Unfortunately, their love story ended too
soon when Les tragically died at the age of 46.
After her children went to school, Nancy worked at Lakeshore Middle
School as a secretary, where she thrived working with the children. She
loved seeing all the smiling faces and helping kids with anything and
everything.
After being widowed, Nancy met and married Glen Mathewson on
December 27, 1980 in St. Joseph, Michigan. Having their own ‘Brady
Bunch’, Nancy gained children, Stephen, Linda, Stephanie and Greg.
Nancy and Mat enjoyed moving out West to live near her sister for
many years until they moved back home to Southwest Michigan to enjoy
their time with their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Nancy’s third love was any and all kinds of chocolate. She could
never have too much and spent her final days enjoying chocolate ice cream
morning, noon and night while being visited by her family.
Nancy loved to crochet and for a time and was quite a wiz at her
bandsaw, making crafts for her family. She enjoyed making doll clothes for
her granddaughters and all the ornaments she could dream of for her
children’s and grandchildren’s Christmas trees.
Nancy is preceded in death by her mother Louise Bender, father Dan
Collis, Husband Leslie Butgereit, Husband Glen (Mat) Mathewson, sister
Roxie Michael, brother Dan Collis, son Timothy Butgereit and stepson Greg
Mathewson.
Nancy is survived by her sister Sandy (Karl) Littke, children, Debbie
Bell, Kellie (Tim) Tyler, Becky (Mike) Miller. Stepchildren Steven (Gloria)
Mathewson, Linda Warren, Stephanie (Mark) Carlson. Grandchildren
Autumn, Noah, Zeke, Nikki (Joel) Haitz, Ryan, Ashley, Amber (Rob) Nowicki
and Nicholas. Step-grandchildren Whitney, Alexis, Kimy, Brittany, Kevin,
Matthew (Stephanie) Carlson. Great grandchildren, Anna, Lily, Tyler, Elinor,
Eva, Maeve, Millie, Vincent, step-great grandchildren Michael and Ava and
several nieces and nephews whom she adored.
She will be missed dearly and remembered for her nonjudgmental
love, positive attitude, at times inappropriate sense of humor, homemade
Halloween costumes, handmade Christmas ornaments, and all the Kleenex
and magic mittens her grandchildren could ever need.
Purely Cremations is handling the cremation, and the family asks that
contributions be made to The Willows Assisted Living, 3440 Hollywood
Road, St. Joseph. Nancy’s family would like to thank The Willow’s staff and a special
thanks to Jenn, Keshia, Arnedia, Tekesia, Alyssa, NaKyjiea and Kyra.
These individuals treated her as if she were their own mother and they are
greatly appreciated.
Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.heritage-chapel.com.
Posted On: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 3:48 PM
