Nancy Luciene Bircher (1946-2020)
Nancy Luciene Bircher, 73, left her earthly home with her husband David by her side, and entered her heavenly home with her Savior by her side, on Wednesday, April 8, 2020. Nancy was born Dec. 11, 1946 in Ellsworth to L.M. “Hank” and Helen Mar (Hysell) Herrington.
Nancy was a longtime resident of the Ellsworth and Kanopolis areas. She married David Bircher at the First Presbyterian Church in Ellsworth on Aug. 3, 1968.
Nancy was a loving wife, wonderful mother, doting grandmother, valued friend, and standout community volunteer. On receiving the Ellsworth-Kanopolis Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award in 2010, it was said “Nancy is the consummate community volunteer that always works to make this community a better place for citizens while shunning the spotlight.”
Nancy was involved with the Ellsworth County Council on Aging and led efforts for the development of the Ellsworth Senior Center, involved with the Ellsworth County Food Bank, served as a founding member of the Ellsworth County Hospice, and was president of the Ellsworth County Medical Center Auxiliary.
Nancy was also a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Ellsworth where she was active as an ordained deacon and elder and longtime member of the Presbyterian Women’s service committee. Nancy was also past president of her P.E.O. chapter, member of Willing Workers, and a former Sunday School teacher, 4-H leader, and Girl Scout leader.
Nancy’s servant heart also shone through during her career as a social worker. Nancy started in social work in 1970, and she worked for the Kansas Department of Social Rehabilitation Services and Ellsworth’s Good Samaritan Home until her retirement in 2012. It is fitting that Nancy worked tirelessly for so many years to keep elderly in their homes, as her last breaths were taken wrapped in her husband’s arms in her home just outside Ellsworth.
Nancy is survived by her husband, David of Ellsworth; daughter, Molly Aspan (Brian) of Tulsa; son, Judd Bircher (Joy) of Gypsum; grandchildren, Makenna Aspan, and Jacob and Joseph Bircher; brothers, Norman Herrington (Laurel) of Gardner and Bill Herrington (Sharon) of Wichita; sisters, Helen Tewes of Salina and Mary Jane Vondra of Geneseo; brother-in-law, Richard Bircher of Topeka; as well as numerous loved nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Marilyn Obermeyer.
The family will have a private inurnment service at Ellsworth Cemetery. A public celebration of life service will be held at a later date when we can all celebrate together.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, Ellsworth, c/o, Parsons Funeral Home, Box 45, Ellsworth, Kan. 67439.
Condolences can be left at parsonsfh.com