Nancy J. Anklin

Nancy June (Helsel) Anklin was welcomed home into our Lord’s heavenly field of wildflowers on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023.  

Born August 1,1947 on her family’s homestead north of Lake City, Mich., Nancy was proud of their historical Christmas tree farm. As the oldest daughter, Nancy frequently cared for family members. She was a quiet girl who later excelled in home economics class and dreamed of becoming a wife and mother. 

After graduating from Lake City High School, Nancy attended Lake Superior State University, where she earned her degree as a licensed practical nurse. Whether it was in a hospital or a home, Nancy devoted her hands and her heart to the continuous care of others, ensuring their health and comfort.  

When blessed with her own children, Nancy nurtured her son, Eric, and daughter, Edie, with dedicated attention and unconditional love. A quiet and accepting nature, Nancy appreciated formal etiquette and beauty, making certain that her home reflected her refined tastes.  

Gifted with creativity, Nancy loved others with her handcrafted gifts: personalized costumes to transform imaginations; weighted blankets to ease anxious hearts; hearty meals to feed hungry bodies; banana bread to comfort friends; sweets to bring smiles; decorations to adorn homes; wedding dresses to capture love; soft pillows and warm corn bags to encourage rest and healing. She enjoyed sharing her delicious “Aunt Nancy Crackers;” correct answers to the demanding New York Times crossword, Wheel of Fortune, and Jeopardy puzzles; and her excitement in rooting for the Michigan State University Spartans and the Cleveland Guardians. In every endearing way, she was our very own Martha Stewart.

Blessed with five grandsons, Nancy shared Power Wheel rides and Lego creations, wildflower visions and animal sightings, pretend games and loving snuggles. Blending desires of need and love, Nancy relocated to Willard, Ohio 15 years ago. Moving in with her daughter, Nancy dedicated her days to her two youngest grandsons: baking brownies, making candy cane bark, planting cherry tomatoes, coloring Easter eggs, and even concocting experiments of volcanoes which erupted rainbow-colored lava onto winter snow. Like others in her life, Nana believed in the abilities of her grandsons and taught them that they were able to do anything.

  
Nancy was the loving mother of Dr. Eric (Christine) Anklin and Edith Anklin (Jes Medina); grandmother of Will, Ben (Rachel), and Sam Anklin; dearly loved Nana of “her boys,” Xzavyer and Joaquinx Anklin-Medina; snuggler of furry-friend, Ruby; aunt to many beloved nieces and nephews, and daughter-in-law to Lillian Anklin.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Hiram and Edith “Ruth” Helsel; brothers Gary Helsel and Hiram “Bud” Helsel; and sister, Marian Bilyea. Nancy is survived by her cherished sister, Rosie (Ray) Warner of Gaylord, Mich.

The family has chosen to remember her privately at this time.

 
Contributions in Nancy’s memory may be made to Hidden Lake Gardens, 6214 Monroe Road, Tipton, MI 49287 or online at givingto.msu.edu/ and indicating “Hidden Lake Gardens” in the search field.