Minneapolis, Minnesota - Nancie Anne (DeMatteo) Nelson passed away of natural causes peacefully on April 20, 2025, in the home she so lovingly built; her little pink French cottage in Minneapolis, surrounded by those she cherished most. It was Easter Sunday, and in a moment so characteristic of Nancie's sense of timing, she left us just an hour before her beloved Pope Francis. The symbolism was not lost on those who knew her. It was poetic. It was magical. It was her.

Born July 28, 1950, in St. Paul, Minnesota, Nancie was a bright, spirited force from the very beginning. She was preceded in death by her mother, Lorraine, and her brothers, Frank and John.

She is survived by her husband Chuck; her devoted daughters Jennifer (Adam) and Christina (Royce); her beautiful sister Julia (Chuck), and sister Jean. And with the heaviest heart, she is survived by the lights of her life, her grandchildren: Jessica (Dan), Myles, Sadie, Harrison, Gwen, Adeline, and Rowan. They were her heart, her joy, and absolutely what she lived for. She is also survived by a large extended family of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends, all lucky enough to have been loved by her.

Her family was her life. Each one of them knew what it meant to be unconditionally loved, to be wrapped in her warmth, to feel like the most important person in the room. She showed up for them with boundless joy and open arms. She celebrated them, cheered for them, and created a home that felt like the safest place on earth, a sanctuary where love lived in every corner.

Nancie poured her soul into her home and garden, creating something not just beautiful, but sacred. Her love of French elegance, magical lights, and blooming lilacs transformed her house into a place where memories were made and magic was real. Every inch of her space whispered stories of joy, mischief, and unconditional love.

The holidays? She didn't just celebrate them, she embodied them. Christmas was a twinkle-lit wonderland of magic and meaning, all created by her tireless hands and huge heart. Halloween? Legendary. Nancie was famously known as the "Wicked Witch of Tangletown," and her haunted house was the stuff of local legend. Children came for the candy and left with screams, giggles, and memories that stuck forever.

But it wasn't just the holidays, Nancie brought joy to the everyday. She loved deeply, laughed loudly, and had a knack for saying things that made you gasp and giggle at once. She believed in fun, in showing up, and in making people feel seen and celebrated. Her presence was electric, she could light up a room with just her laugh, or a look, or a perfectly-timed zinger. And yet, her greatest power was how she made others feel: treasured, accepted, loved beyond measure.

Nancie had a love that was big, loud, bright, tender, and endlessly patient. She loved the people around her with intention and presence, meeting everyone exactly where they were, and making them feel seen, safe, and deeply loved. Her life was a constant, quiet offering: of warmth, of wisdom, of second helpings and third chances. And always, always, a seat at her table. She gave her love freely, fiercely, and without condition.

The loss of Nancie is staggering. The space she filled is immeasurable. But the love she gave, that always remains. It's in every story, every holiday, every hug, and every heart she touches.

To know Nancie was to know joy, comfort, and the truest kind of love. She was, simply put, the heart of her family, and her spirit will live on in each of them. Our queen bee forever and always.

Funeral Services:

A visitation will be held at 10:00 AM, followed by a funeral Mass at 11:00 AM on Friday, April 25, 2025, at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Community, 4537 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419. A luncheon will follow the service.

In Lieu of Arranged Flowers:

The family requests guests bring a favorite garden flower instead — one that reminds you of her. These flowers will be planted in Nancie's garden, creating a living tribute and a place to feel, to grieve, and to remember the treasure of a human we lost.