Nancy Elizabeth 'Nancy Elizabeth Dod B Bradley

Nan, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, cousin, aunt, sister-in-law, and best friend, left this life peacefully Sunday, May 4, 2014 in the arms of her family. She was born 1923 to Florence Charlotte Patterson and Albert Frazier Hamilton Dod – an Editor, Duluth Herald & Tribune Newspaper, MN. During her growing years, Nan studied ballet, dance and voice lessons, before graduating Central High School 1941. She began her studies at Saint Scholastica College, MN, working toward a major in journalism, when WWII began. Edward James (Jim) Bradley, her high school sweetheart, left West Pointe - marrying her May 22, 1944 on Base in Georgia. The couple transferred to a Louisiana Base, where she worked in an ammunitions factory as an Executive Secretary. Relocating home after the war to 1909 Greyselan Road, Duluth MN, Nan declined an outside career and dedicating herself to lovingly, raising their beautiful family with tremendous creativity and supporting Jim's sales career. Years and 8 children later, Jim's company, Standard Oil, transferred the family to 600 Independence Ave, Waterloo, IA, where 2 daughters were born, for a total of 10 children. Nan enthusiastically served associations/ confraternities over the years. She assisted her Catholic Parochial PTA Boards, Daughters of Charity, Blue Army, Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul Society, with tremendous love and creativity, becoming a Third Order Carmelite, Eucharistic Minister to shut- ins, and donating to charities. She fed the poor homeless people, who by word of mouth, found their way to her door. At 45, she took a position in the Oklahoma City Clinic Business Office for 27 years. After a 1 year retirement, she gave 4 additional years as Secretary/Nurse to the Villa Theresa Moore School, Moore, OK, before finally retiring at 76. Knitting and water-coloring painting became her passion. She delighted in having company come and gifting her family with beautiful, handcrafted works of loving art. At 79 she and her husband blended homes with their youngest daughter and her large family, supporting them with loving wisdom, real life experiences shaped by Godliness and integrity and filled the house with laughter. July 2002 her only brother Donald Dod, passed in Milwaukee and in March 2005 her Jim of 60 married years, passed away quietly, followed shortly in November 2005, by their son Donald. In June 2012, their son William passed away of cancer, leaving his dear wife Karen. Nan is survived by her 2 sons' James and Mark; her sons' wonderful wives, and her 6 daughters, Anita, Mary, Barbra, Therese, Jan, Nancy; and their dear husbands. She is further survived by multiple grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and her dear (Sister)-in-law, Jane Ann Olson. The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to all the Priests of Saint John The Baptist Catholic Church for their generous theological and tender pastoral care, in her time of confusion and great need. Also to the Doctors, Nursing and Medical Staff , Hospice Staff, Department of Ethics, the Priest/Chaplain Office at Mercy Hospital , Oklahoma City, who compassionately helped Nan and her family through this final passage of her life, you lifted away the anguish and struggle in death and transformed it into a beautiful, peace-filled work of Mercy. Dear Heavenly Father, As Nan celebrated each new day, on this earth with us, in abundant child-like joy and enthusiasm, may we celebrate equally well – this – Her Joyous New Day In Heaven With You, Amen.