Nancy Ann Minnaert Transier, a dedicated educator and beloved community figure, passed away at her home, surrounded by family, on January 24th, 2024, at the age of 83. Born on November 2nd, 1940, in the small farming community of Kewanee, Illinois, Nancy's life was marked by a rich tapestry of experiences that shaped her into the remarkable woman she became.

Growing up in the heart of the Midwest, Nancy attended Visitation Elementary School in Kewanee, where her love for learning and literature flourished. Long summer days were spent reading Shakespeare on the neighbors garage roof (with an occasional break to eat cherries from the cherry tree branches overhead), swimming in local quarries, and visiting cousins with their many animals on nearby farms.

At Kewanee High School, Nancy focused on her studies but still made time for cheerleading, frequent stops at the local malt shop with friends, and traveling to the Kewanee Knight's Drum and Bugle Corps competitions. Upon graduation from Kewanee High School, Nancys father told her she could be a teacher, a secretary, or a nurse. She chose to teach and enrolled at Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL. There, she met the love of her life, Lee Transier, on a blind date. After their first date, Nancy told her roommate that Lee was "too serious," but he eventually won her over by showing his "less serious" side, and they married on June 30th, 1962, at the First Presbyterian Church in Macomb.

Nancy's teaching career began in a rural school in Illinois, where she taught first grade. They then moved to St. Cloud, Minnesota, where she completed her Master of Science in Education degree at St Cloud State University. With the birth of their first child, Kristen, Nancy paused her teaching career and focused on her family. In 1969, the family moved to the Philadelphia area, where children Karin and Braden were born. Once all three children were school-aged, Nancy returned to teaching at Abington Presbyterian Church Preschool, eventually becoming the schools director.

She and Lee also taught Contemporary Social Issues classes at the local night school, and Nancy volunteered in the emergency room of a local hospital. In 1979, the family relocated to Kingwood, Texas, where Nancy continued her teaching journey in elementary education at Bear Branch and Greentree Elementary Schools. Nancy officially retired from teaching in 2001; however, after a short break, she was drawn back to full-time teaching at Greentree and eventually earned her Special Education Certification. She continued teaching until 2023, wrapping up a career that spanned six decades. She loved discovering how each child learns best, leaving an indelible mark on her many students, fellow teachers, and community.

After her 'retirement' from teaching, Nancy's adventurous spirit led her to travel the world with her husband, children, and grandchildren. Her trip to Scotland in 2004 was the first of her travels abroad. Over the years that followed, she continued to travel to new countries - each a bit more adventurous than the last: visiting relatives in Belgium, falling in love with Barcelona, learning the joys of a great cappuccino in Rome, riding a camel in Turkey, cooking spicy food in Bangkok, and learning that dogs bark all day and night in Nepal.

Nancy loved her three children, but she adored her seven grandchildren. She brought the "Mary Poppins magic" she had in her classroom to her "Lala Cousin Camp" - summers filled with art projects, pool games, spa days, and famous midnight swims.

The magic didnt end with the warm weather. After years of trial and error, she mastered the art of the Saran-Wrap Christmas Ball and would freely dispense advice about how to craft the perfect ball, thus ensuring an enduring family tradition. A close second to her grandchildren were Nancy's dogs. They could do no wrong. Her cherished hounds ate birthday cakes and Thanksgiving turkeys, pulled up shrubs, and covered her very clean house in dog hair. Nancy would not hear a word against her precious Arf, Skippy, Beau, Willie Nelson, and Tucker - the problem was not with the dog hair; it was with your clothes.

Beyond her professional achievements, Nancy was active in her community, participating in the Kingwood Garden Club, Greentree Book Club, Mahjong, and Left- Right-Center groups, volunteering with Dora's Dogs, mentoring former students, and learning to paint in her spare time. Her commitment to service extended to her role as an Elder at Kingwood's First Presbyterian Church and her involvement in the P.E.O. Sisterhood.

Nancy Transier is survived by her devoted husband, Lee; her children, Kristen Doss, Karin (Greg) Bowman, son Braden (Elizabeth) Transier; her grandchildren, Trey Doss, Grayson Doss, Caroline Doss, Jared Chelette, Georgia Chelette, Janssen Transier, and Rowan Transier. She is preceded in death by her father and mother, Charles and Trudy Minnaert, and her brother, Dale Minnaert.

Those who knew her will fondly remember Nancy's life, which was marked by a deep love for learning, family, and community.

A memorial service for Nancy will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Kingwood on Feb 10th at 10 am. A reception follows in the church Fellowship Hall. 5520 Kingwood Drive, Kingwood, Texas 77339

The family established the Nancy Transier Memorial Fund at Amegy Bank, Kingwood, dedicated to providing scholarships and grants for Greentree Elementary School students upon high school graduation. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the

Nancy Transier Memorial Fund. Venmo: https://venmo.com/u/Nancy_Transier_Memorial_Fund

Check made out to Nancy Transier Memorial Fund mailed to: Transier Family