September 13, 1951 - July 27, 2022
Nancy A. Dardis, age 70, a Bloomington resident for 45 years, passed away July 27, 2022. A graduate of Richfield High School - 1969 and of the University of Minnesota Duluth. She was the loving wife of Michael B. Dardis for 46 years and devoted daughter of Howard and Beulah Kreger. Survived by her husband and brother, Wayne Kreger and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Nancy was a wonderfully talented woman. She was an accomplished wood artist and taught classes in pyrography (wood burning) around Minnesota and neighboring states. She was known for her ability to not only teach others but also to capture through her study of the anatomy of birds the physical features of the animals in her work. Particularly impressive was her ability to replicate the intricacy of the feathers and the focus of the eyes. She was also a talented wood carver and she linked her skills in painting and drawing to her creations.
She was an avid reader-preferring mystery novels and a dedicated crossword puzzle fan. She also loved to put together difficult picture puzzles-often completing 1000 piece puzzles in a few days. At the time of her death she had over 60 such puzzles in her collection. She just loved the challenge of the most difficult ones. She was a skilled, disciplined writer and proofreader and greatly aided her husband when he wrote and published his novel in 2018.
She was a woman who always insisted in doing her best in any endeavor. She has an extensive library of books on birds she used to research material so she could improve her art. During her working career she mastered the requirements in many fields. She effectively mastered the FAA requirements to do small airport surveys around the state when engineers were not available. When she moved on into the private sector for information management, she moved quickly from system coding to project manager. She eventually had her own consulting company through which she worked on projects for most Fortune 500 companies in the area (3M, Thermal King, Burlington-Northern, Target, Northwest Bank, Health Partners).
Nancy was an avid traveler and a joyous companion to her husband on travels to 20 countries not to mention cross-country ski trips, bike trips and trips to their summer cabin (camp) in the UP of Michigan.
Nancy loved to garden and has a beautiful garden not only at their home in Bloomington, but also at their home in the UP. She also loved and had a very special way with animals. She was truly a 'dog whisperer' with any dog she encountered. Animals seemed to sense her strength but also her kindness. She truly possessed a wonderful kind soul that allowed her to have so many friends and encouraged her to serve the needs of the less fortunate. That kindness demonstrated itself in scholarship funding for students at the University of Minnesota, the VEAP food shelf where she and her husband provided significant levels of food stuffs even during the pandemic, and the support both financially and physically of many other charities. Nancy's kindness was fully demonstrated in her extensive care and support for her father and finally her mother during the last years of their lives.
Nancy's sudden loss is a terrible blow to her husband and to her friends. She was always a bright shining light to all of them and she will not only be missed, but also never replaced. She left us way too soon!
Memorials may be given to the Michael and Nancy Dardis Scholarship Funds at the University of Minnesota, either fund #2549 or 7651.
Visitation
Thursday, August 11, 2022
10:00 - 11:00 AM
Morris Nilsen Funeral Chapel
6527 Portland Avenue S.
Richfield, MN 55423
Funeral Service
Thursday, August 11, 2022
11:00 AM
Morris Nilsen Funeral Chapel
6527 Portland Avenue S.
Richfield, MN 55423
Click here for a recording of Nancy’s Service.
My experience of Nancy was like connecting with a common spiritual old soul. She was extremely generous with sharing her passion, caring and just a beautiful person. I took a class from Nancy and felt at times like I was the only one in the class because she was so personally involved in helping me, until I realized she did that for everyone.
Nancy was very supportive of our scroller’s club and promoted us wherever she went. It was always fun running into her at events. Rest in peace, Nancy, you were loved by very many people.
Katie- thank you so much.She loved her wood craft . I’m showing a large part of her work at her funeral and she loved teaching others.
Nancy you will be missed. I cannot comprehend your leaving us so soon after mother passed away. I am thankful that John had a Christmas Eve lunch where we were all together. You took your responsibly for mom proudly. I want to thank you for occasionally giving rides to Katy. I know you are hard at work in heaven with mom and dad. I appreciated the can you made for me. You were a very talented person. Love you, Donna
Mike, I would like to extend my sincere sympathy to you and Nancy’s family.
Mike ,
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time .
I wanted to say thank you for you and Nancy thinking about me and send a beautiful birthday card .
Love and peace
Calvin- thanks so much.Sadly Nancy wanted to meet you but never had the chance.Hope to see you in Sept. Peace be with you.
Mike, My deepest sympathy for the passing of Nancy, your wife and my friend. I always enjoyed hearing the two of you tell stories of your trips and other adventures, full of humor and good memories. Nancy always challenged herself as a wood artist to improve and expand her craft. I loved her attention to carving the fine details of an Eagle and other birds framed in spectacular backgrounds. I appreciated that she did a carving of our beloved dog, Lucy. Very thoughtful. I will miss her. Roz
Mike & family,
So sorry for your loss. I worked with Nancy while she was at HealthPartners and learned so much from her and so enjoyed our time together. I still refer to a system guide she created as a stunning example of how to create such a document.
She touched many lives!
Karen
Mike & family,
My sincere condolences in the passing of Nancy. I, too, worked with Nancy at HealrhPartners. She was so knowledgeable and the variety of her expertise in so many areas amazed me. I commissioned a couple of wood burning items from her and think of her as I look at them on our walls.
She was a truly gifted and caring person. May you know peace and comfort in the treasure trove of memories and knowing she was loved and respected by so many.
Peace,
Freda
Mike & family,
Our sincerest condolences in the passing of such an amazing woman, Nancy. She was incredibly kind and I always felt at ease talking with her in our extended family gatherings. She had a passion for life and a great sense of humor. She will be missed by many.
May the memories of the wonderful times spent together replace the sorrow in your hearts. We are so sorry for your loss.
Kerry & Bill Bergen
Dear Mike,
I have just finished attending the funeral service via Zoom for Nancy. I am so happy that was provided for us who could not travel to you.
As I sat outside listening to the service the waves of Lake Superior quietly lapped on shore. A hummingbird hovered at my hostas, which Nancy had given me. I found such peace in that.
I will miss her, as many who spoke today will. She lives on in each of us.
See you soon
Nance,
I still can’t believe you are gone. When Mike called to tell me it was like why is he on Nance’s phone? Then I had to listen to what he was telling me I am so grateful to have had you for soooo many years in my life. You taught me so much and I know you are in the bosom of Abraham with Boots and my brother David.
I ran across all your vacation stories, I sure wish you would have written a book. Thank you for all the genuine love you gave to all of us while you were here. I’ll MOOSE you my friend ( our laugh). I know you’ll keep an eye on Mike, it’s going to be a hard road after 46 great years. I couldn’t see what earrings they put on you but I’ll never forget how he always surprised you with trinkets. I know you finished that book when we last chatted in June. I’m still laughing at the 8 loads of laundry, the ticks you picked up while getting photos of the lupine. I can just see you in your chair in the basement reading or working on the puzzles. I know there is plenty of work for you to do in heaven. The Most High needed you for what’s ahead. Keep shining down on us, okay?
The memories of my mermaid rock at The Happy Place and our times in the gardens and canoeing. Oh the Shasta daisies and daffodils are going to miss your pruning.
I couldn’t come to your funeral because my brothers funeral was the same day and time. Guess you’ll meet him there, you’re in good company. Tell him he could of waited,. July won’t be the same again.
I’ll continue to chat with you daily. You may be gone physically but NEVER forgotten.
Caio, bye, see ya. Will miss you forever. As always, thank you for being my friend.