Nancy Ann Gerike Site staff Nancy Ann Gerike (Cottinie), age 72, of Reedsburg, Wisconsin, passed away due to a chronic heart condition on Sunday, March 14, 2021. Because family is spread around the country during this pandemic, a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Nancy (Nance) was born in Chicago, IL, on December 5, 1948 to Leo Cottinie and Helen Zimmerman (Poppie) (Cottinie). She grew up in Briggsville, WI, as the eldest of 4 children; Betty, Janice, and little brother, Dale. In her youth, she enjoyed horseback riding (and pretending to), sledding, ice skating, playing pretend or ‘house’, and cooking with her young siblings. She also solidified her love of music. Nancy graduated from Wisconsin Dells High School in 1967 and went on to marry her life-long partner, Michael Alfred Gerike. They married at Trinity Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Dells on October 14, 1967 and birthed their first child, Annette, the following year in Antigo, WI. They had their son, Jason, 5 years later after moving to their still-current farmette in the country where Michael grew up near Baraboo, WI. Nancy fought fearlessly for her children and laughed just as hard. Her children bore her grandchildren, Taylor, Morgan, Dustin, Jessica, and Cameron, who were the lights of her life. Nancy and Mike owned many dogs (among other animals) throughout their life together that she loved dearly. Nancy worked 42 years at St. Clare hospital in Baraboo, where she accomplished much and was respected by all of her co-workers. She started out as a Food Service worker and worked her way up throughout her years. Nancy eventually graduated at the top of her class at UW-Baraboo with her Associate’s Degree and retired as Director of Admissions at St. Clare/SSM Health. She spent the last few years of her working career traveling with SSM Health to start up new hospitals around the country and implementing the software she helped develop. Nancy took great pride in her work and enjoyed all of her colleagues. Aside from her work-life, Nancy was a member of the American Legion in her hometown of Briggsville and volunteered for the Sauk County Humane Society with her granddaughter, Jessica. She always had a strong Faith and volunteered for Trinity Lutheran Church as a Grief Liaison. She found fulfillment helping families navigate their grief.